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Answer
Annas and Caiaphas are two high priests mentioned during Jesus’ public ministry “Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”, (Luke 3:2). In that period of history, high priests were installed and removed by Roman rulers. Although not recorded in the Bible, tradition holds that the Romans deposed Annas and appointed Caiaphas as the high priest. Therefore, officially, Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas, served as the high priest during Jesus’ ministry. However, Annas, the former high priest, still wielded significant influence and retained the title of high priest “and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year.”, (John 18:13).
When Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane, He was brought before Annas for questioning (John 18:13;19-23). Annas then sent Him to Caiaphas “Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.”, (John 18:24). The Sanhedrin also participated in this interrogation “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.”, (Matthew 26:57). Jesus was taken from Caiaphas’ residence to appear before Pilate “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.”, (John 18:28), who then sent Jesus to Herod (Luke 23:6-7), who returned Him to Pilate «And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. », (Luke 23:11). Pilate eventually condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion after declaring Him innocent three times (John 18:38; John 19:4,6).
Jesus’ trial before Annas and Caiaphas was marked by false testimony and conflicting reports of what Jesus had done and said «For many bore false witness against him, but their testimonies did not agree. », (Mark 14:56). Throughout it all, “Jesus remained silent and gave no answer” (verse 61). Caiaphas began to despair of finding enough evidence to put Jesus to death, but then he asked Him directly, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (verse 61). Jesus answered, “I am. . . . And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (verse 62). At this, Caiaphas tore his clothes, declared Jesus to be a blasphemer, and turned Him over to a mob who beat Him (verses 63–65).
Annas and Caiaphas are also mentioned in Acts 4:6 when Peter and John were questioned before the Jewish rulers: “Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others of the high priest’s family.” Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter responded boldly. He credited Jesus Christ of Nazareth for the healing of a lame man (Acts 3:1-10; 4:9-10), reminded the rulers that they had crucified Jesus, and proclaimed that God raised Jesus from the dead «be itknown unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole.” , (Acts 4:10). Peter also declared that salvation is found in no one but Jesus “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” , (Acts 4:12). The Jewish authorities were astonished by the disciples’ demeanor, particularly given that they were ordinary men, and recognized the disciples had been with Jesus. The rulers had been “greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead” “being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” , (Acts 4:2) and wanted to halt the spread of the movement. So, despite the obvious work of God, they charged Peter and John to stop teaching in Jesus’ name. The disciples refused. The rulers threatened them further, but could not punish them “because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old” (Acts 4:21-22).
Significantly, Caiaphas had unwittingly prophesied regarding Jesus’ death. When the Sanhedrin was plotting to kill Jesus, Caiaphas “spoke up, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.’ He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring.”them together and make them one” (John 11:49-51; cf: John 18:14).
Though both Annas and Caiaphas plotted against Jesus and sought to inhibit the spread of the gospel, both were used by God to further His plan. Caiaphas was correct; it was good for one man to die for all people. Because that Man died on our behalf, we can be granted eternal life through faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 5:12-20; Hebrews 7:27).
