Why Wasn’t the High Priest Also King?
Understanding the Roles of Priest and King in the Time of Jesus
If you’ve been following The Chosen, especially in Season 5, you’ve likely noticed the increasing tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. One question that I started pondering after watching a few recent episodes is this:
Why wasn’t the Jewish High Priest—arguably the most powerful religious figure—also considered the king of the Jews?
After all, the High Priest had immense influence. He presided over the Temple, the Sanhedrin, and acted as the spiritual authority for the people of Israel. So why didn’t he sit on the throne?
Here is what I discovered with a little research:
To understand why the Jewish High Priest wasn’t also the “King of Israel”, we need to step back into Scripture and Jewish history to see what God originally designed—and how that design pointed forward to something (and someone) far greater.
A Kingdom Divided by Design
From the beginning, God separated the offices of priest and king in Israel.
Kings, like David and Solomon, came from the tribe of Judah. Their role was political, military, and civil—protecting and governing the people.
Priests, on the other hand, came from the tribe of Levi, specifically the line of Aaron. Their calling was sacred—they offered sacrifices, cared for the Temple, and mediated between God and the people.
This separation wasn’t just practical—it was holy. It prevented the corruption that could come from merging both ultimate religious and political power. God wanted His people to be led both in truth and humility, through distinct vocations.
Take a look at 2 Chronicles 26, when King Uzziah—despite his otherwise good reign—attempted to burn incense in the temple, a duty reserved for priests. God struck him with leprosy for crossing the line. It was a clear reminder: the king is not the priest, and the priest is not the king.
The Exile and the Empty Throne
Fast forward to the sixth century BC. After centuries of rebellion, Israel was exiled to Babylon. The Davidic line of kings was cut off—at least in a visible, political sense. When the people returned from exile, they rebuilt the Temple, but no king ever returned to the throne.
During the Second Temple period (which includes the time of Jesus), there was no Jewish king. Israel was under foreign occupation—first Babylon, then Persia, then Greece, and finally Rome. Power shifted, and in the absence of a king, the High Priest became the central authority in Jewish life.
But even then, the High Priest was not king. He was still bound by Rome, limited in power, and politically cautious—especially when it came to anyone claiming the authority of King!
Which is why Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the title “King of the Jews” posed a massive threat—not just to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, but to the religious authorities as well.
The Hasmonean Exception—and Its Controversy
There was a brief period after the Maccabean Revolt (~160s BC) when the Jewish Hasmonean dynasty did combine priestly and kingly roles. But this was highly controversial.
Why?
Because the Hasmoneans were neither from the tribe of Judah (the line of kings) nor Aaron (the line of High Priests). Many Jews viewed this combination as illegitimate. The Hasmonean rule was short-lived, and it left a sour taste in the mouths of many who longed for a true king—one from David’s line, anointed by God.
The One Who Unites Both
Here’s the beautiful twist in the story:
While the High Priest and King were separate roles by divine design, Jesus fulfills both.
He is King, as the Son of David, rightful heir to the throne of Judah (Luke 1:32–33).
He is also our High Priest, not according to the line of Levi, but “in the order of Melchizedek”—a priest-king from Genesis who foreshadows Christ (see Hebrews 5–7).
Jesus doesn’t seize power the way human kings do. He conquers by laying down His life. He doesn’t enter the Temple to offer a lamb—He becomes the Lamb. He doesn’t sit on a golden throne—He hangs on a Cross.
And yet, from that place of seeming defeat, He reigns. Priest and King, perfectly united in one divine person.
Looking Toward the Light
As you watch The Chosen, you’re witnessing a story that’s not just historical—it’s deeply theological. The High Priest isn’t king because no earthly priest could ever fulfill the royal destiny God had in mind. That role was reserved for Christ alone.
And in Jesus, we no longer need to choose between justice and mercy, authority and compassion, power and sacrifice. He is all of it.
He is the King who intercedes. The Priest who rules. The Lord who loves.
What’s coming up?
Keep your eyes open for an article coming soon that dives into the mysterious high-priest Melchizedek. We’ll compare Catholic and Jewish perspectives on this ancient figure.
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