Leviticus 14:22, commentary and pictures

A person cleansed of leprosy was required to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, such as he was able to obtain or afford, with the one to serve as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. This requirement belongs to the law of Moses governing the rites and offerings for cleansing and restoration after leprosy, set out in Leviticus 14:1-32. The law connected with that passage made a person who touched a leper unclean.

The healed person had to go to the same priests who had banished him, show himself to the priest, and be thoroughly examined before any offering could be accepted. The priest had to decide and publicly proclaim that he was entirely free from infectious disease, in sound health, and might again unite with family and friends without endangering them. Jesus directed the healed leper to show himself to the priest and present what Moses commanded, and this direction honored, upheld and affirmed the law. It showed that His healing and teaching were not opposed to the law of Moses, the ritual law, or the Jewish code.

Presenting the offering brought the healing before the priests for examination and certification. Their examination, decision, and public certification gave irrefutable testimony to them of divine healing power. It also became testimony to Christ's healing power and evidence against the charge that healing in the name of Jesus opposed the law. The ceremonial ordinances requiring such offerings were types that remained in force until the death of Christ, when type met antitype.