Annas And Caiaphas

At the time of the Messiah's first coming, the office of Levitical High Priest in Jerusalem had degenerated into little more than a Roman puppet show (just as it will be when the end-time "King of the North" is welcomed into Jerusalem, by the people of Judah, to commit the prophesied "abomination of desolation" because they will mistake him, and his "great false prophet," as the mere-human Messiah that they still await; see Constantine's Crusades In History And Prophecy). Unlike the men who held that God-commanded function and responsibility before them, who knew when to put down their scrolls and pick up their swords (e.g. the Maccabees who overthrew the Greek occupation when the original abomination of desolation of the Temple was committed; see Christ's Hanukkah and Abomination of Desolation - Where?), Annas and Caiaphas were docile collaborationists with the Roman occupation. From the Biblical record, the only people that Annas and Caiaphas opposed were the patriots of their own nation - such as John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth (see also Who Has A Spirit Of Confrontation?).

"^3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee [see also Whatever Happened To Those Romans?], and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, ^3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness [see also What Was Strange About John The Baptist?].

^3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; ^3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight [see The Path To Glory]." (Luke 3:1-4 KJV)

Why are Annas and Caiaphas both described as "high priest"? Caiaphas had married the daughter of Annas; the facade of high priest was in the process of transferring from the older to the younger man.

"^18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year." (John 18:13 KJV)

It was Caiaphas however who instigated the plot to kill the Messiah (he actually fulfilled the prophecy, despite himself i.e. "And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation," see below), after the Messiah's prophetic miracle of resurrecting Lazarus (see The Place Of Lazarus). Why? Their excuse was "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." But even that was an invalid reason. As an occupied and foreign-ruled people (see also The Politics Of Rome), they had no actual "place and nation" to lose; only a sovereign people can lose their "place and nation."

"^11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. ^11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

^11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. ^11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

^11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. ^11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. ^11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. ^11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

^11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, ^11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

^11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; ^11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. ^11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death." (John 11:41-53 KJV)

"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me"

It was Caiaphas who had charge of "the chief priests, and the scribes" when they conspired to kill the Messiah. But once again, despite his faulty logic that the killing be "Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people," he nevertheless caused the Messiah to be killed at exactly the right time - when the Passover lambs were also then being killed, not the day after.

"^26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, ^26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

^26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, ^26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. ^26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people." (Matthew 26:1-5 KJV)

When the Messiah was arrested, He was taken first to Annas - which shows that he still had authority, along with his successor/son-in-law.

"^18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, ^18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. ^18:14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." (John 18:12-14 KJV)

The torture of the Messiah began while He was before Annas; their "courage" was limited to sadistically beating a bound, heavily-outnumbered prisoner.

"^18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. ^18:20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. ^18:21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. ^18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? ^18:23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? ^18:24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest." (John 18:19-24 KJV)

The Son of God was then taken to Caiaphas, where the mockery and the torture continued.

"^26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. ^26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

^26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; ^26:60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none.

At the last came two false witnesses, ^26:61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

^26:62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? ^26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

^26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven [see Looking Up To The Messiah: How And When?].

^26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. ^26:66 What think ye?

They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

^26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, ^26:68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?" (Matthew 26:57-68 KJV)

From Caiaphas, the Messiah was taken to "the hall of judgment" where He stood before Pilate (consider the irony that one day everyone, including those who mocked and tortured the Messiah that night, will stand before Christ in His "Hall of Judgment"). Even though they executed the Christ anyway, Pilate declared the Lamb of God innocent - everyone knew that He was innocent.

"^18:28 Then led they 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. ^18:29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

^18:30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

^18:31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: ^18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

^18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

^18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

^18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

^18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." (John 18:28-38 KJV)

After Christ's resurrection and ascension, Caiaphas continued his persecution of the Messiah's people, however he later seemed to be getting the message i.e. "Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it." Notice that Peter had quickly recovered from his brief denial of the Christ ("^26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice" Matthew 26:34 KJV) - he never denied Him again, "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

"^4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, ^4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ^4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. ^4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

^4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, ^4:6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. ^4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

^4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, ^4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; ^4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. ^4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

^4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

^4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. ^4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. ^4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ^4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. ^4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

^4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ^4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. ^4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

^4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done." (Acts 4:1-21 KJV)

Fact Finder: Herod the Great was the Roman tyrant who built the magnificent "Herodian" Temple (a grand expansion of the Temple established in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah; see The Tabernacles Celebration After The Fall Of Babylon) in Jerusalem that existed at the time of the first coming of the Messiah - where Annas and Caiaphas obediently served their Roman masters (Herod the Great was also the Roman king who attempted to kill the newborn Christ i.e. Matthew 2:1-21; see also Why Did The Magi Come?). What did Jesus Christ say would happen to that Roman-built Temple in Jerusalem? When was the prophecy fulfilled?
See What Did Jesus Christ Say About Those Stones?

This Day In History, November 2

1164: Thomas Beckett, the Archbishop of Canterbury, began a 6-year self-imposed exile in France. Once a close friend of King Henry II, he found himself in difficulty after he became an outspoken opponent of the king's policies.

1570: Nearly a thousand people were killed when a tidal wave struck the coast of Holland.

1721: Peter I was proclaimed czar of all the Russians.

1785: The first lifeboat was patented by London coachbuilder Lionel Lukin.

1789: During the French Revolution, all property of the church was taken over by the state.

1841: Following the British occupation of Kabul, Afghans revolted and killed Sir Alexander Burnes and 23 others, starting the Second Afghan War (although some historians regard the actual start of the war when foreign troops invaded Afghanistan, not when the people of Afghanistan began to defend their homeland from them).

1914: Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire.

1917: During the First World War (listen to our Sermon The European World Wars), British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour, prompted by "Zionist" (see Zionism) emigres Chaim Weizmann and Nahum Sokolow, wrote a letter to the 2nd Baron Rothschild, head of the British branch of the Jewish banking family, which contained the "Balfour Declaration" (listen to our Sermon The Balfour Declaration). The declaration, pledging British aid for efforts to establish a Jewish homeland in "Palestine," was a key event in the creation of the modern state of Israel, and of end time prophecy (e.g. see Abomination of Desolation - Where?, How Long Will 'The End Time' Last? and Raiders Of The Lost Ark). The modern state of Israel was proclaimed just over 30 years later, in 1948.

1930: Haile Selassie was crowned emperor of Ethiopia.

1936: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was established.

1940: During the Second World War that was started by Adolf Hitler (see Presidential Quotes On War, Terrorism, Religion), the Luftwaffe bombed London for the 57th consecutive night of the "Blitz."

1964: King Saud of Saudi Arabia was deposed and replaced by Prince Fail.

1965: Norman Morrison, a 31-year-old Quaker, set himself on fire in front of the Pentagon to protest the use of napalm in the Vietnam War.

1984: Velma Barfield was executed in Raleigh, North Carolina after being convicted of six murders. She became the first woman executed in the U.S. since 1962, as well as the first woman to be executed by lethal injection.

1995: The Argentine Supreme Court ordered the extradition to Italy of former SS captain Erich Priebke to face trial for a World War Two massacre of prisoners in the Ardeatine Caves.