Caiaphas Καϊάφας
High priest during Jesus' ministry and trial
Biography
Caiaphas was the high priest during the time of Jesus' ministry and played a significant role in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion (Matt. 26:3, 57; Luk.3.2; Jhn.11.49; 18.13, 14, 24, 28; Act.4.6). He served as high priest from around AD 18 to 36, and was the son-in-law of Annas, another influential high priest. Caiaphas is most notable for his involvement in the trial of Jesus. After Jesus' arrest, He was brought before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. During this trial, Caiaphas questioned Jesus and ultimately charged Him with blasphemy (Matt. Act.26.63-66). Caiaphas then sent Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, who sentenced Him to crucifixion. Caiaphas' actions were motivated by his concern for maintaining political stability and protecting the religious establishment from perceived threats (Jhn.11.49-50). After Jesus' resurrection, Caiaphas was involved in the persecution of the early Christian church, as seen in the trial of Peter and John (Act.4.6). Caiaphas' role in the Gospel narratives highlights the political and religious tensions of the time and the opposition faced by Jesus and His followers.
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In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 4 with study contentMatthew 2 verses Study available
- Matthew 26:3
"Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:57
"Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together."
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Luke 1 verse Study available
- Luke 3:2
"in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness."
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John 5 verses Study available
- John 11:49
"But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all,"
Study John → - John 18:13
"and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year."
Study John → - John 18:14
"Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people."
Study John → - John 18:24
"Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest."
Study John → - John 18:28
"They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover."
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Acts 1 verse Study available
- Acts 4:6
"Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Καϊάφας | G2533G |
Caiaphas
ompare Joh 18:13), who filled th e post of high priest from about 18-36 AD, when he was deposed by Vitellius (compare Josephus, Ant, XVIII, ii, 2; iv, 3). He is mentioned by Luke as holding office at the time of John the Baptist's preaching in the wilderness (Lu 3:2).
Caiaphas took a leading part in the trial and condemnation of Jesus. It was in his court or palace that the chief priests (Sadducees) and Pharisees, who together constituted the Sanhedrin, assembled "that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him" (compare Mt 26:3,4; Joh 11:49). The regal claims of the new Messiah and the growing fame of His works had made them to dread both the vengeance of imperial Rome upon their nation, and the loss of their own personal authority and prestige (compare Joh 11:48). But Caiaphas pointed a way out of their dilemma: let them bide their time till the momentary enthusiasm of the populace was spent (compare Mt 26:5), and then by the single sacrifice of Jesus they could at once get rid of a dangerous rival and propitiate the frowns of Rome (compare Joh 11:49,50; 18:14). The commentary of John upon this (Joh 11:51,52) indicates how the death of Jesus was indeed to prove a blessing not only for Israel but also for all the children of God; but not in the manner which the cold-blooded statecraft of Caiaphas intended. The advice of the high priest was accepted by the Sanhedrin (Joh 11:53), and they succeeded in arresting Jesus. After being led "to Annas first" (Joh 18:13), Jesus was conducted thence in bonds to Caiaphas (Joh 18:24), According to Mt He was led immediately upon His arrest to Caiaphas (Mt 26:57). Mr and Lu do not refer to Caiaphas by name. His conduct at this preliminary trial of Jesus (Mt 26:57-68), its time and its procedure, were almost entirely illegal from the standpoint of then existing Jewish law (compare JESUS CHRIST, THE ARREST AND TRIAL OF; and A. Taylor Innes, The Trial of Jesus Christ). False witnesses were first called, and when Jesus refused to reply to their charges, Caiaphas asked of Him if He were "the Christ, the Son of God " (Mt 26:63). Upon our Lord's answering "Thou hast said" (Mt 26:64), Caiaphas "rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy" (Mt 26:65). Upon this charge was Jesus found "worthy of death" (Mt 26:66). Caiaphas is also mentioned in Ac 4:6 as being among those who presided over the trial of Peter and John.
C. M. Kerr
kan (qayin, "spear" or "smith," resembling in sound the root qanah, "get," "acquire," Ge 4:1 the Revised Version, margin, but not necessarily derived from that root; Septuagint Kain):</