Caiaphas

Gender: Male

Years: 26 - 33

Dictionary Text: The Jewish high priest at the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry, in the reign of Tiberius, and also at the time of his condemnation and crucifixion,;;,. 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 of Caiaphas. He was of the sect of the Sadducees, 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”. 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;. At a later period his hostility to the gospel is still manifest.

Family Members

Verses

• John 18:24: Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
• Luke 3:2: Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
• John 18:14: Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
• Matthew 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,
• John 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 11:49: And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
• John 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.
• Acts 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.
• Matthew 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.