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 sayings, that he said to his disciples, Ye know that after two days cometh the passover; and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified. read more. Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the court of the palace of the highpriest, named Caiaphas; and took counsel together that they might seize Jesus by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not at the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.
And they who seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the highpriest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, as far as to the court of the highpriests palace, and went in, and sat with the officers to see the end. read more. And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; and they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. But at last came two, and said, This man affirmed, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it within three days. And the highpriest arose, and said to him, Dost thou make no answer to what these men testify against thee? But Jesus was silent. And the highpriest answering said to him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith to him, I am. Moreover I say to you, Henceforth ye will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the highpriest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? See! ye have now heard the blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He should be punished with death. Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and some smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy to us, O Messiah! who it was that struck thee.
And two days after was the passover, and the feast of unleavened bread; and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by craft, and put him to death.
And they led Jesus away to the highpriest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes come together. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the court of the palace of the highpriest, and was sitting with the officers, and warming himself at the fire. read more. And the chief priests and the whole council sought for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death; and they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimonies did not agree together. And some stood up and bore false witness 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 not made with hands. And not even so did their testimony agree. And the highpriest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Dost thou make no answer to what these men testify against thee? But he was silent, and answered nothing. Again the highpriest asked him, and saith to him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am; and ye will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the highpriest rent his garments, and said, What further need have we of witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy; what think ye? And they all condemned him as deserving the punishment of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face and buffet him, and say to him, Prophesy! And the officers, with blows, took him in charge. And as Peter was below in the court, there cometh one of the maidservants of the highpriest; and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, Thou too wast with the Nazarene, Jesus. But he denied, saying, I do not know nor understand what thou sayest. And he went out into the forecourt; and a cock crew. And the maidservant, seeing him, began again to say to those who were standing by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And shortly after, those who were standing by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilaean. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And immediately a cock crew a second time. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, Before a cock crows twice, thou wilt thrice deny me. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the highpriest. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat down among them. read more. But a certain maidservant saw him sitting at the fire, and steadily looking at him said, This man also was with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I do not know him. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And in about one hours time, another confidently affirmed, saying, In truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a cock crew. And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, that he had said to him, Before a cock crows this day, thou wilt thrice deny me. And he went out, and wept bitterly. And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him; and having blindfolded him, they asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that struck thee? And many other things did they scoffingly say against him. And when it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together, and brought him before their council, saying, If thou art the Christ, tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not believe; and if I ask, ye will not answer. But from this time the Son of man will sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said to them, Ye say what is true; for I am. And they said, What further need have we of testimony? For we have ourselves heard from his own mouth.
Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What are we to do, seeing that this man worketh many signs? If we thus let him alone, all will believe in him; and the Romans will come, and take away both our place and nation. read more. And a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being highpriest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing at all; nor do ye consider that it is expedient for us that one man die for the people, and not the whole nation perish. And this he spoke not from himself; but being highpriest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together in one body the children of God that are scattered abroad. Therefore from that day forth they consulted together to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but departed thence to the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there abode with the disciples.
and carried him to Annas first; for he was fatherinlaw of Caiaphas, who was highpriest that year. And it was Caiaphas who counseled the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. read more. And Simon Peter and the other disciple followed Jesus. That disciple was an acquaintance of the highpriest, and went with Jesus into the court of the palace of the highpriest. But Peter was standing outside at the door. The other disciple therefore, who was an acquaintance of the highpriest, went out and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then the maidservant that kept the door saith to Peter, Art thou also one of this mans disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and were warming themselves; and Peter was standing with them and warming himself. The highpriest then asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken plainly to the world; I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews assemble, and in secret I spoke nothing. Why askest thou me? Ask those who have heard, what I have spoken to them; behold, these know what I have said. And when he had said this, one of the officers who was standing by struck Jesus on the face, saying, Is it thus that thou answerest the highpriest? Jesus answered him, If I spoke what is evil, testify to the evil; but if well, why dost thou strike me? Annas therefore sent him bound to Caiaphas the highpriest. And Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, Art thou also one of his disciples? He denied and said, I am not. One of the servants of the highpriest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Then Peter denied again; and immediately a cock crew.
And while they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being indignant that they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. read more. And they laid hands upon them, and put them in prison until the next day; for it was now evening. Many however of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men became five thousand. And it came to pass on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes, and Annas the highpriest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the highpriest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
But the highpriest and all that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with indignation,
But when they heard this, they were filled with rage, and were resolving to kill them.
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 elders of the people assembled in the court of the palace of the highpriest, named Caiaphas;
And they who seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the highpriest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
And having bound him, they led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor.
when Annas and Caiaphas were highpriests, the word of God came to John, the son of Zachariah, in the wilderness.
And a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being highpriest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing at all; nor do ye consider that it is expedient for us that one man die for the people, and not the whole nation perish.
and carried him to Annas first; for he was fatherinlaw of Caiaphas, who was highpriest that year. And it was Caiaphas who counseled the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Then they lead Jesus from Caiaphas to the governors palace; and it was early. And they did not themselves go into the palace, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.
and Annas the highpriest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the highpriest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
But the highpriest and all that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, rose up 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 they who seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the highpriest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, as far as to the court of the highpriests palace, and went in, and sat with the officers to see the end. read more. And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; and they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. But at last came two, and said, This man affirmed, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it within three days. And the highpriest arose, and said to him, Dost thou make no answer to what these men testify against thee? But Jesus was silent. And the highpriest answering said to him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith to him, I am. Moreover I say to you, Henceforth ye will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the highpriest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? See! ye have now heard the blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He should be punished with death. Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and some smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy to us, O Messiah! who it was that struck thee.
And they led Jesus away to the highpriest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes come together. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the court of the palace of the highpriest, and was sitting with the officers, and warming himself at the fire. read more. And the chief priests and the whole council sought for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death; and they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimonies did not agree together. And some stood up and bore false witness 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 not made with hands. And not even so did their testimony agree. And the highpriest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Dost thou make no answer to what these men testify against thee? But he was silent, and answered nothing. Again the highpriest asked him, and saith to him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am; and ye will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the highpriest rent his garments, and said, What further need have we of witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy; what think ye? And they all condemned him as deserving the punishment of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face and buffet him, and say to him, Prophesy! And the officers, with blows, took him in charge.
And when it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together, and brought him before their council, saying, If thou art the Christ, tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not believe; read more. and if I ask, ye will not answer. But from this time the Son of man will sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said to them, Ye say what is true; for I am. And they said, What further need have we of testimony? For we have ourselves heard from his own mouth.
Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What are we to do, seeing that this man worketh many signs?
And this he spoke not from himself; but being highpriest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation;
and carried him to Annas first; for he was fatherinlaw of Caiaphas, who was highpriest that year.
and carried him to Annas first; for he was fatherinlaw of Caiaphas, who was highpriest that year.
and Annas the highpriest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the highpriest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
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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And a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being highpriest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing at all; nor do ye consider that it is expedient for us that one man die for the people, and not the whole nation perish.