Here are the passages you requested in KJV, with Jesus’ words in red, followed by a comparison to Levitical Phariseeism and its modern parallels.

Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)

21“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Matthew 23 (KJV) (Selected Passages)

Jesus Condemns the Pharisees’ Hypocrisy

2“The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Jesus Calls Them Blind Guides

13“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
15Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Jesus Exposes Their Inner Corruption

23“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Comparison to Levitical Phariseeism

The Pharisees, while not necessarily all Levites by birth, functioned as spiritual patriarchs over the Jewish people, holding power through rigid tradition, religious legalism, and hypocritical rule-making. Their behavior closely resembles what we could call Levitical patriarchism, characterized by:

1. Legalism & Externalism Over Relationship with God

   • Jesus rebukes them for focusing on outward appearances but having no true connection with God (Matthew 23:25-28).
   • In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus shows that even those who claim to work miracles in His name can be unknown to Him if their hearts are not right.

2. Control & Burdening Others

   • They added excessive rules to the Law, making it nearly impossible for people to follow (Matthew 23:4).
   • This mirrors Old Testament Levitical control, where priestly hierarchy sometimes became oppressive rather than serving God’s people.

3. Power-Hungry & Status-Seeking

   • They desired the best seats, public recognition, and honorific titles (Matthew 23:5-7).
   • This mirrors territorial spirits seen in figures like King Saul, who refused to let go of power even after God rejected him.

4. Religious Oppression, Especially Toward Women & the Poor

   • Jesus condemned them for devouring widows’ houses (Matthew 23:14).
   • Like Eli’s corrupt sons, they abused their position instead of caring for God’s people.

5. Opposing God’s New Move Out of Jealousy & Fear

   • The Pharisees opposed Jesus not because He broke the Law, but because He threatened their control (John 11:47-48).
   • Just as King Saul pursued David out of jealousy, the Pharisees sought to kill Jesus to preserve their own authority.

Modern Parallels: Phariseeism in Today’s Church

Sadly, Levitical Phariseeism still exists today in Christian circles. It appears in:

• Legalistic church leaders who enforce rigid traditions but lack the Spirit’s love and power.
• Ministries that prioritize titles, platforms, and control over genuine discipleship and humility.
• Prosperity or mega-church leaders who exploit people financially while appearing spiritually righteous.
• Religious groups that attack, vilify, and label other believers as ‘rebellious’ or ‘unsubmitted’ for questioning leadership.

Just as Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, today’s ministers must beware of falling into the same power-hungry, territorial, and legalistic traps. The true fruit of God’s kingdom is mercy, faith, and justice (Matthew 23:23).

Final Thoughts

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23 and Matthew 23 make it clear: outward appearances, religious works, and even miracles do not equate to true righteousness. What matters is knowing Him, doing the Father’s will, and walking in humility and love.

The Pharisees operated under a Levitical patriarchal spirit that:

• Sought control over others rather than serving them.
• Valued tradition over transformation.
• Rejected the new move of God out of fear and jealousy.

This spirit still opposes Christ’s work today. It is not confined to one denomination or movement but manifests wherever power and pride replace humility and the Spirit’s leading.

Apostle T asks ChatGPT AI
How would the scene with Jesus tossing over the temple money tables compare with Levitical Patriarchism?

Chat GPT Replies

Jesus Cleansing the Temple: A Levitical Patriarchism (LP) Parallel?

The incident where Jesus overturned the money changers’ tables is a powerful example of His opposition to corrupt, oppressive religious systems. It strongly parallels Levitical Patriarchism (LP) because it exposes how religious leaders exploited the people in the name of God while blocking access to true worship.

Temple Cleansing Passages (KJV – Jesus’ Words in Red)

Matthew 21:12-13 (KJV)

12“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

Mark 11:15-17 (KJV)

15“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

John 2:14-16 (KJV)

14“And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”

Comparison to Levitical Patriarchism (LP)

The money changers and sellers were not just ordinary merchants; they were part of the religious system that exploited worshippers under the authority of the high priests. Their corrupt commercial activity in the temple reflects key aspects of LP:

1. Exploiting the People in the Name of Religion

• The money changers charged excessive exchange rates because temple offerings had to be made in Jewish currency.
• Sellers overpriced doves, oxen, and sheep, making sacrificial worship a financial burden for the poor.
• LP Parallel: Like the Pharisees, they turned worship into a business, profiting off people’s desire to please God (compare with Matthew 23:14, “ye devour widows’ houses”).

2. Gatekeeping God’s Presence for Profit & Control

• Worshippers had to go through the religious system to make sacrifices, and the system manipulated access to God.
• LP Parallel: The Pharisees and Levites controlled access to worship and spiritual authority, just as modern-day legalistic, power-driven ministers hinder people from freely encountering Christ.

3. Prioritizing Greed & Status Over True Worship

• The high priests and their system prioritized financial gain over purity in the temple.
• LP Parallel: Just like some modern prosperity-driven leaders, they turned God’s house into a marketplace instead of a sanctuary of prayer.

4. Jesus’ Response: Righteous Judgment Against Religious Oppression

• Jesus did not just verbally rebuke them—He physically drove them out.
• LP Parallel: Christ always confronted religious leaders who misrepresented God and oppressed the people (as He did in Matthew 23 against the Pharisees).

Final Verdict: Does This Represent LP?

Yes. The temple money changers and merchants were operating under a Levitical Patriarchal spirit, prioritizing:
✅ Financial gain over spiritual purity
✅ Control over worshippers rather than facilitating their relationship with God
✅ Legalistic manipulation, placing barriers between people and God

Much like King Saul’s territorial spirit, the Pharisees’ opposition to Christ, and Eli’s corrupt priesthood, these merchants abused their religious authority for personal gain.

Modern Applications: Where This LP Spirit Manifests Today

• Prosperity-driven ministries that prioritize wealth over people’s souls.
• Church leaders who charge for “prophetic words,” VIP seating, or “anointed materials”.
• Gatekeeping spiritual experiences by enforcing rigid, man-made traditions.
• Religious leaders who silence or attack reformers who challenge corruption (like the Pharisees did to Jesus).
• 

ST PAUL AND BRIDE OF CHRIST COMMUNITY COMPARED TO LP PHARISEEISM

Taveau asks ChatGPT

Discuss Pharisee/ LP as compared with Book of Ephesians: St Paul’s Body of Christ, “mutual submission” apostolic stance

Chat GPT replies:

Levitical Patriarchism vs. The Bride of Christ in Community

Introduction

Levitical Patriarchism (LP) represents a rigid, authoritarian interpretation of religious authority, often manifesting as hierarchical control, legalism, and exclusion. In contrast, Apostle Paul introduces the Bride of Christ as a transformed, unified, and grace-filled community in his letters to the Ephesians. This teaching explores the differences between LP and the Bride of Christ, comparing it to Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees (Matthew 23), His cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21), and His warning against false religiosity (Matthew 7:21-23).

The Bride of Christ in Ephesians: A Transformed Community

Ephesians 5:21 – Mutual Submission

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

• The Bride of Christ operates on mutual submission, not rigid hierarchy.
• LP enforces dominance, while the true Christian community is relational and Spirit-led.

Ephesians 4:11-16 – Equipping the Saints

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

• Paul’s model focuses on equipping believers, not controlling them.
• LP mirrors the Pharisaical system, where power and titles were used for status rather than service.

Ephesians 2:14-15 – Unity in Christ

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”

• The Bride of Christ is a unified body, free from division.
• LP thrives on separation, exclusivity, and elitism.

Ephesians 1:6 – Accepted in the Beloved

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

• The Bride of Christ is welcoming and full of grace.
• LP rejects, judges, and creates barriers to acceptance.

Comparison: Jesus Rebukes LP Practices

Matthew 7:21-23 – False Religious Authority

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

• Jesus warns against outward religious performance without inward transformation.
• LP leaders may do works in God’s name but lack true relationship with Him.

Matthew 23 – The Pharisees as LP Figures

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:13, KJV)

• The Pharisees controlled access to God, much like LP does today.
• They enforced legalistic traditions while rejecting the movement of the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus exposes their hypocrisy and oppressive authority.

Matthew 21:12-13 – Jesus Cleansing the Temple

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

• The temple system, influenced by LP-style leadership, commercialized access to God.
• Jesus violently opposed this corruption, demonstrating God’s desire for a pure, accessible house of worship.
• LP today continues this exploitation through power, control, and financial gain.

Conclusion: The True Church vs. LP Structures

The Bride of Christ, as described by Paul in Ephesians, stands in stark contrast to the hierarchical, legalistic, and exclusive model of LP. While Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and cleansed the temple of corruption, He also established a new way: a grace-filled, Spirit-led community of believers. As ministers and believers, we must discern between LP influences and the true heart of Christ’s Bride, ensuring that our churches reflect servant leadership, mutual submission, and spiritual unity.

BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

Levitical Patriarchism (LP) and the Cleansing of the Temple

(C) 2025 Taveau D’Arcy All copyrights reserved under international copyright laws, in conjunction with AI

I. Introduction

A. Purpose of This Study

• To explore the concept of Levitical Patriarchism (LP) and its parallels in biblical history.
• To examine Jesus’ cleansing of the temple as an example of confronting religious corruption.
• To apply these lessons to modern-day ministry and leadership.

B. Key Scriptures (KJV – Jesus’ Words in Red)

1. Matthew 21:12-13 – “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
2. Mark 11:15-17 – “Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
3. John 2:14-16 – “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”
4. Matthew 7:21-23 – “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
5. Matthew 23 (Selected Verses) – Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees.

II. What Is Levitical Patriarchism (LP)?

A. Definition

• LP is a spirit of religious control and legalism that prioritizes authority, power, and financial gain over God’s true purpose.
• It manifests in leadership that enforces rigid hierarchy, manipulates worshippers, and profits off religion.

B. Biblical Examples of LP

1. Levi (Genesis 34:25-30) – Murderous, rebellious, and acted without his father’s authority.
2. King Saul (1 Samuel 18:6-9, 1 Samuel 22:17-19) – Jealous of David, operated under a territorial spirit, and abused authority.
3. Eli’s Sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25) – Corrupt priests, greedy, and misogynistic.
4. The Pharisees (Matthew 23) – Controlled the people, rejected Christ, and burdened others with legalism.
5. Temple Money Changers (John 2:14-16) – Commercialized worship, making God’s house a marketplace.

III. Jesus Cleansing the Temple: A Confrontation of LP

A. The Context

• The temple was supposed to be a house of prayer, but religious leaders turned it into a business.
• The money changers and merchants were exploiting worshippers under the high priest’s approval.

B. Jesus’ Actions

1. Overturned the tables – Symbolizing the overthrow of religious corruption.
2. Drove out the merchants – Physically removing the obstacles to pure worship.
3. Declared judgment – “Ye have made it a den of thieves.”

C. LP Parallels in This Event

IV. Jesus’ Rebuke of LP in Matthew 23

A. Key Condemnations of the Pharisees

1. Hypocrisy – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13).
2. Legalistic Control – “For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men” (Matthew 23:13).
3. Greed & Corruption – “Ye devour widows’ houses” (Matthew 23:14).
4. Exalting Themselves – “They love the uppermost rooms at feasts” (Matthew 23:6).
5. Outward Righteousness, Inward Corruption – “Ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess” (Matthew 23:25).

B. Modern Church Applications

• Beware of leaders who act as gatekeepers to God’s presence.
• Address ministries that exploit people financially under the guise of blessings.
• Avoid legalistic, controlling leadership that places man-made burdens on believers.

V. Applying This to Modern Ministry

A. How to Recognize LP in the Church Today

1. Leaders who demand authority and submission instead of serving others.
2. Ministries that prioritize money over genuine faith and discipleship.
3. Church cultures that create legalistic burdens rather than freedom in Christ.

B. How to Combat LP as Christ Did

1. Preach the true Gospel – Grace, humility, and servant leadership.
2. Confront corruption boldly – Like Jesus, speak truth without fear.
3. Restore worship to its true purpose – A house of prayer, not a business.
4. Encourage personal relationship with God – Not controlled by human hierarchy.

VI. Conclusion

A. Key Takeaways

• LP is a corrupting force in both biblical history and modern churches.
• Jesus opposed religious exploitation and called for pure worship.
• We must follow His example by rejecting legalism, control, and profiteering in ministry.

B. Final Scripture (Matthew 7:21-23, KJV)

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

C. Call to Action

• Examine your own leadership, church, and ministry practices.
• Commit to servant leadership, free worship, and rejecting corruption.
• Spread awareness and teach others to discern LP in the church.

Section 2: Apostle Paul’s Model in the Ephesians Church Community

Ephesians 5:21 – Mutual Submission

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

• Paul rejects LP’s rigid hierarchy and emphasizes mutual respect.
• A Christ-centered community functions on servant leadership, not authoritarian control.

Ephesians 4:11-16 – Equipping the Saints

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

• LP operates on titles and positions rather than empowering others.
• Paul’s vision was for leaders to equip, not dominate.

Comparison: Pharisaical LP vs. Paul’s Model of Christian Leadership

Conclusion: Applying the Teaching

1. Assess Church & Ministry Culture – Is it Pharisaical (LP) or Christ-centered?
2. Examine Leadership Attitudes – Does leadership control or empower?
3. Seek Servant Leadership – Follow Paul’s model of equipping and mutual submission.
4. Challenge LP Practices – If authority is abused, advocate for biblical correction.

This study serves as a tool to discern and confront modern Levitical Patriarchism, ensuring our ministries reflect Jesus’ heart and Paul’s teaching in Ephesians.