Reference: Caiaphas
American
High priest of the Jews, A. D. 27 to 36. He was a Sadducee, and a bitter enemy of Christ. At his palace the priests, etc., met after the resurrection of Lazarus, to plot the death of the Savior, lest all the people should believe on him. On one of these occasions, Joh 11:47-54, he counseled the death of Christ for the political salvation of the nation; and his words were, unconsciously to him, an inspired prediction of the salvation of a lost world. These plots against Christ, Mt 26:1-5; Mr 14:1; Lu 22:2, led to his seizure, and he was brought first before Annas, formerly high priest, who sent him to Caiaphas his son-in-law. See ANNAS. Caiaphas examined Christ before the assembling of the Sanhedrin, after which the trial went on, and Christ was condemned, mocked, and transferred to Pilate for sentence and execution, Mt 26:57-68; Mr 14:53-72; Lu 22:54-71; Joh 18:13-27. Not content with procuring the death of the Savior, Caiaphas and his friends violently persecuted his followers, Ac 4:1-6; 5:17,33. But a few years after the ascension of Christ, and soon after the degradation of Pilate, Caiaphas also was deposed from office by the Roman proconsul Vitellius. Like Balaam of the Old Testament, he is a melancholy instance of light resisted, privilege, station, and opportunity abused, and prophetic words concerning Christ joined with a life of infidelity and crime and a fearful death.
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And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he said to his disciples: You know that after two days the passover is kept, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified. read more. Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people met together at the palace of the chief priest, who was called Caiaphas. And they consulted together that they might take Jesus by craft and kill him. But they said: Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.
And those who took Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the chief priest, where the scribes and elders had come together. But Peter followed him, at a distance, to the palace of the chief priest, and went in and sat with the attendants, to see the end. read more. And the chief priests and the elders, and the whole Sanhedrin, sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death, and found none. Though many false witnesses came, yet they found none. At last two false witnesses came, and said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the chief priest arose, and said to him: Do you make no answer? What do these testify against you? But Jesus remained silent. And the chief priest answered and said to him: I adjure you, by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God? Jesus said to him: You have said. Moreover, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming upon the clouds of heaven. Then the chief priest rent his clothes, and said: He has spoken impiously; what further need have we of witnesses? See now, you have heard his impious words: What think you? They answered and said: He is a subject for death. Then did they spit in his face, and strike him with their fists; some struck him with the open hand, and said: Give a response to us, Christ: Who is he that struck you?
After two days was the passover and the feast of unleavened bread; and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and kill him.
And they led Jesus away to the chief priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes. And Peter followed him, at a distance, even into the palace of the chief priest, and sat with the attendants, and warmed himself at the fire. read more. And the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin sought for testimony against Jesus, in order to put him to death, and found none. For many testified falsely against him, and their testimony did not agree. And some rose up, and testified falsely against him, saying: We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. And not even in this did their testimony agree. And the chief priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying: Do you make no answer? What do these testify against you? But he was silent, and made no answer. Again, the chief priest asked him, and said to him: Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus replied: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming with the clouds of heaven. And the chief priest rent his clothes, and said: What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard his impious speech. What think you? They all condemned him to be a subject of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him with their fists, and to say to him: Give a response. And the attendants struck him with their open hands. And while Peter was in the court below, one of the maid servants of the chief priest came; and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said: You also were with Jesus the Nazarene. But he denied, saying: I neither know, nor understand what you say. And he went out into the entrance, and the cock crew. And the maid-servant saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by: This man is one of them. He again denied. And again, after a little while, those who stood by said to Peter: Surely, you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech is like theirs. But he began to curse and to swear, saying: I know not this man of whom you speak. And immediately the cock crew the second time. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times. And when he thought upon it, he wept.
And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
And they took him, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the chief priest. But Peter followed at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat down in the midst of them. read more. And a certain maid-servant saw him sitting by the fire; and, looking intently at him, she said: This man also was with him. But he denied, saying: "Woman, I know him not. And after a little, another saw him, and said: You also are one of them. Peter replied: Man, I am not. And about one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying: Of a truth, this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean. But Peter said: Man, I know not what you say. And immediately, while he was speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, that he had said to him, Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. And the men that had Jesus in custody mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying: Give a response; who is it that struck you? And many other impious things they said to him. And when it was day, the elders of the people, the chief priests also and scribes, met together, and led him up to the Sanhedrin, and said: If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them: If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I also ask you a question, you will not answer me, nor let me go. Henceforth the Son of man shall sit on the right hand of the power of God. And they all said: You are, then, the Son of God? He said to them: You say that I am. They replied: What further need have we of testimony? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin, and said: What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we thus let him alone, all will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation. read more. But one of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, said to them: You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is profitable for us, that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish. But this he did not speak of himself; but being chief priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he should gather into one the children of God that were scattered abroad. From that day, therefore, they consulted together to put him to death. Therefore, Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but withdrew thence to the region near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples.
and led him first to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews, that it was profitable that one man should die for the people. read more. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. And that other disciple was acquainted with the chief priest, and he went in with Jesus into the palace of the chief priest. But Peter stood without near the door. Then the other disciple, who was acquainted with the chief priest, went out and spoke to the door-keeper, and brought Peter in. Then the maid-servant who kept the door said to Peter: Are you not also one of the disciples of this man? He said: I am not. And the servants and the attendants, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold, were standing and warming them selves. And Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. Then the chief priest questioned Jesus concerning his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him: I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews come together, and in secret I have spoken nothing. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard, what things I said to them. Behold, they know what I have said. When he had spoken thus, one of the attendants, who was standing by, struck Jesus with his open hand, saying: Do you answer the chief priest thus? Jesus answered him: If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you strike me? Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the chief priest. And Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Then they said to him: Are not you also one of his disciples? He denied, and said: I am not. One of the servants of the chief priest, who was a kinsman of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said: Did I not see you in the garden with him? Then Peter denied again. And immediately the cock crew.
While they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being vexed because they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. read more. And they laid hands on them, and put them in prison till the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word, believed: and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes, and Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the chief priest, met together in Jerusalem.
But the chief priest arose, and all that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation;
And when they heard this, they were enraged; and they determined to put them to death.
Easton
the Jewish high priest (A.D. 27-36) at the beginning of our Lord's public ministry, in the reign of Tiberius (Lu 3:2), and also at the time of his condemnation and crucifixion (Mt 26:3,57; Joh 11:49; 18:13-14). 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 (Ac 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" (Joh 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 (Mt 27:2; Joh 18:28). At a later period his hostility to the gospel is still manifest (Ac 4:6). (See Annas.)
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Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people met together at the palace of the chief priest, who was called Caiaphas.
And those who took Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the chief priest, where the scribes and elders had come together.
And they bound him and led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Annas and Caiaphas being chief priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness.
But one of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, said to them: You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is profitable for us, that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.
and led him first to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews, that it was profitable that one man should die for the people.
Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor's pal ace. It was the morning hour. And, in order that they might not be denied, but that they might eat the passover, they did not go into the governor's palace.
and Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the chief priest, met together in Jerusalem.
But the chief priest arose, and all that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation;
Hastings
Joseph Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas (Joh 18:13), was high priest between a.d. 18 and 36; and thus 'the memorable year' of our Lord's trial fell in the course of his pontificate (Joh 11:51; 18:13). He was, like all the priestly order, a Sadducee; and he was a man of masterful temper, with his full share of the insolence which was a Sadduc
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And those who took Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the chief priest, where the scribes and elders had come together. But Peter followed him, at a distance, to the palace of the chief priest, and went in and sat with the attendants, to see the end. read more. And the chief priests and the elders, and the whole Sanhedrin, sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death, and found none. Though many false witnesses came, yet they found none. At last two false witnesses came, and said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the chief priest arose, and said to him: Do you make no answer? What do these testify against you? But Jesus remained silent. And the chief priest answered and said to him: I adjure you, by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God? Jesus said to him: You have said. Moreover, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming upon the clouds of heaven. Then the chief priest rent his clothes, and said: He has spoken impiously; what further need have we of witnesses? See now, you have heard his impious words: What think you? They answered and said: He is a subject for death. Then did they spit in his face, and strike him with their fists; some struck him with the open hand, and said: Give a response to us, Christ: Who is he that struck you?
And they led Jesus away to the chief priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes. And Peter followed him, at a distance, even into the palace of the chief priest, and sat with the attendants, and warmed himself at the fire. read more. And the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin sought for testimony against Jesus, in order to put him to death, and found none. For many testified falsely against him, and their testimony did not agree. And some rose up, and testified falsely against him, saying: We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. And not even in this did their testimony agree. And the chief priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying: Do you make no answer? What do these testify against you? But he was silent, and made no answer. Again, the chief priest asked him, and said to him: Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus replied: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming with the clouds of heaven. And the chief priest rent his clothes, and said: What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard his impious speech. What think you? They all condemned him to be a subject of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him with their fists, and to say to him: Give a response. And the attendants struck him with their open hands.
And when it was day, the elders of the people, the chief priests also and scribes, met together, and led him up to the Sanhedrin, and said: If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them: If I tell you, you will not believe; read more. and if I also ask you a question, you will not answer me, nor let me go. Henceforth the Son of man shall sit on the right hand of the power of God. And they all said: You are, then, the Son of God? He said to them: You say that I am. They replied: What further need have we of testimony? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin, and said: What are we doing? For this man does many signs.
But this he did not speak of himself; but being chief priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation;
and led him first to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year.
and led him first to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year.
Watsons
CAIAPHAS, high priest of the Jews, succeeded Simon, son of Camith; and after possessing this dignity nine years, from A.M. 4029 to 4038, he was succeeded by Jonathan, son of Ananas, or Annas. Caiaphas was high priest, A.M. 4037, which was the year of Jesus Christ's death. He married a daughter of Annas, who also is called high priest in the Gospel, because he had long enjoyed that dignity. When the priests deliberated on the seizure and death of Jesus Christ, Caiaphas declared, that there was no room for debate on that matter, "because it was expedient that one man should die for the people, that the whole nation should not perish," Joh 11:49-50. This sentiment was a prophecy, which God suffered to proceed from the mouth of the high priest on this occasion, importing, that the death of Jesus would be for the salvation of the world. When Judas had betrayed Jesus, he was first taken before Annas, who sent him to his son- in-law, Caiaphas, who possibly lived in the same house, Joh 18:24. The priests and doctors of the law there assembled to judge our Saviour, and to condemn him. The depositions of certain false witnesses being insufficient to justify a sentence of death against him, and Jesus continuing silent, Caiaphas, as high priest, said to him, "I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God!" To this adjuration, so solemnly made by the superior judge, Jesus answered, "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." On hearing these words, Caiaphas rent his clothes, saying, "What farther need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?" They answered, "He is worthy of death." And as the power of life and death was not at this time in their hands, but was reserved by the Romans, they conducted him to Pilate, that he might confirm their sentence, and order his execution.
Two years after this, Vitellus, governor of Syria, coming to Jerusalem at the passover, was received very magnificently by the people. As an acknowledgment for this honour, he restored the custody of the high priest's ornaments, to the priests, he remitted certain duties raised on the fruits of the earth, and deposed the high priest Caiaphas. From this it appears that Caiaphas had fallen under popular odium, for his deposition was to gratify the people.
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But one of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, said to them: You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is profitable for us, that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.