Annas

was high priest A.D. 7-14. In A.D. 25 Caiaphas, who had married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13 ;), was raised to that office, and probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrim, or deputy or coadjutor of the high priest, and thus was also called high priest along with Caiaphas (Luke 3:2 ;). by the Mosaic law the high-priesthood was held for life (Num 3:10 ;); and although Annas had been deposed by the Roman procurator, the Jews may still have regarded him as legally the high priest. Our Lord was first brought before Annas, and after a brief questioning of him (John 1:18 -23;) was sent to Caiaphas, when some members of the Sanhedrim had met, and the first trial of Jesus took place (Matt 26:57 -68;). This examination of our Lord before Annas is recorded only by John. Annas was president of the Sanhedrim before which Peter and John were brought (Acts 4:6 ;).

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Caiaphas

the Jewish high priest (A.D. 27-36) at the beginning of our Lord's public ministry, in the reign of Tiberius (Luke 3:2 ;), and also at the time of his condemnation and crucifixion (Matt 26:3 ; 26:57; John 11:49 ; 18:13; 18:14;). He held this office during the whole of Pilate's administration. His wife was the daughter of Annas, who had formerly been high priest, and was probably the vicar or deputy (Heb. sagan) of Caiaphas. He was of the sect of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17 ;), and was a member of the council when he gave his opinion that Jesus should be put to death "for the people, and that the whole nation perish not" (John 11:50 ;). In these words he unconsciously uttered a prophecy. "Like Saul, he was a prophet in spite of himself." Caiaphas had no power to inflict the punishment of death, and therefore Jesus was sent to Pilate, the Roman governor, that he might duly pronounce the sentence against him (Matt 27:2 ; John 18:28 ;). At a later period his hostility to the gospel is still manifest (Acts 4:6 ;). (See ANNAS)

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