There is organic priestcraft and there is commercial. Priestcraft may have at its foundations to do with requiring all rulers to tread carefully when dealing with men and thusly with souls to remember the limitations of their rulership lest they face wrath and indignation of God of Christ. Priest as one who makes a point to avoid being so entrenched in the mundane that he keeps the right perspectives as opposed to practitioners of secret rites whether sexual or otherwise (they get too immersed). The priest as his brother's keeper--in the sense of protecting their souls as if for God's own sake). Priest as consultant to the soul and encourager of placing limits on carnality.
Simoniaism (Simon Magus and cohorts) and associated Romano-Babylon didn't want to make it too obvious to its victims. Perhaps the bastard come 70 A.D. would be Essau (Edom)?I believe that too few Christians appreciate the cultural and political climate where Jesus was immersed. Jesus was being reclaimed by the exiled King of Israel, Archelaus HEROD ....