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 when Jesus had finished all these discourses, he said to his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the Passoever, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. read more. Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled together, at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. And consulted, how they might apprehend Jesus by subtlety and kill him. But they said, Not at the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.
And they that had apprehended Jesus, led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off to the high priest's palace, and going in, sat with the officers, to see the end. read more. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death, But found none; yea, tho' many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest rising up said to him, Answerest thou nothing? What do these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answering said to him, I adjure thee by the living God, to tell us, if thou art the Christ, the Son of God? Jesus saith to him, Thou hast said. Moreover I say to you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right-hand of power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven. 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. What think ye? They answering said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face and buffet him, and others smote him, Saying, Prophesy to us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?
And after two days was the feast of the passover and of unleavened bread; and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might apprehend him by subtlety, and put him to death.
And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and with him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders and scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest, and sat with the officers, and warmed himself. read more. Then the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus, to put him to death, and found none. For many bore false witness against him; but their evidences were not sufficient. And there arose certain, and bore false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. And neither so was their evidence sufficient. Then the high priest standing up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man, sitting on the right-hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes and saith, What farther need have we of witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to deserve death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, Prophesy, And the officers smote him with the palms of their hands. And as Peter was in the hall below, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest. And seeing Peter warming himself, she looked on him and said, Thou wast also with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou meanest. And he went out into the porch, and the cock crew. And the maid saw him again, and said to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, those that stood by, said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. Then he began to curse and to swear, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, Before the cock crow twice, thou wilt deny me thrice. And he covered his head and wept.
And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; but they feared the people.
Then took they him, and led him, and brought him to the high-priest's house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sat down together, Peter sat down among them. read more. But a certain maid seeing him as he sat by the light, and looking earnestly upon him, said, This man also was with him. But he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a while another saw him and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him, for he is a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou meanest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before cock-crowing, thou wilt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. And the men that held Jesus mocked and smote him. And having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. And when it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, Saying, Art thou the Christ? Tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not believe. And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right-hand of the power of God. And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? He said, Ye say it: I am. And they said, What farther need have we of witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.
Then the chief priests and elders assembled a council and said, What do we? For this man doth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans will come and subvert both our place and nation. read more. And one of them, Caiaphas, being the high priest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing, Nor consider, it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. He spake not this of himself, but being high-priest that year, he prophesied, that Jesus should die for the nation: And not for that nation only, but that he might also gather into one all the children of God that were scattered abroad. Therefore from that day, they consulted together to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no longer openly among the Jews, but went thence into the country, near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
And led him away to Annas first (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.) Caiaphas was he who had counselled the Jews, that it was expedient one man should die for the people. read more. Now Simon Peter followed Jesus, and another disciple. That disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without: therefore the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, and spake to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the maid, who kept the door, to Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers, having made a fire of coals (for it was cold) stood and warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them and warmed himself. Then the high priest asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I was continually teaching in the synagogue and in the temple, whither all the Jews resort, and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? Ask them that heard me, what I said to them: behold, they know what I said. When he had said thus, one of the officers, who stood by, gave Jesus a blow, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? (Now Annas had sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.) Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest (being kinsman to him whose ear Peter had cut off) saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter denied again, and immediately the cock crew.
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Saducees came upon them, Being grieved that they had healed the lame man, and preached thro' Jesus the resurrection from the dead. read more. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold till the next day: for it was now evening. But many of them who had heard the word, believed. And the number of the men was about five thousand. And on the morrow were gathered together at Jerusalem their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high-priest.
But the high priest arising, and all that were with him, which was the sect of the Saducees,
When they heard this, they gnashed their teeth, and took counsel to slay 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 scribes, and the elders of the people assembled together, at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.
And they that had apprehended Jesus, led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
And having bound him, they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governour.
Annas being the high priest and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
And one of them, Caiaphas, being the high priest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing, Nor consider, it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
And led him away to Annas first (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.) Caiaphas was he who had counselled the Jews, that it was expedient one man should die for the people.
Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor's palace, and it was early: and they went not into the palace themselves, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.
and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high-priest.
But the high priest arising, and all that were with him, which was the sect of the Saducees,
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 that had apprehended Jesus, led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off to the high priest's palace, and going in, sat with the officers, to see the end. read more. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death, But found none; yea, tho' many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest rising up said to him, Answerest thou nothing? What do these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answering said to him, I adjure thee by the living God, to tell us, if thou art the Christ, the Son of God? Jesus saith to him, Thou hast said. Moreover I say to you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right-hand of power, and coming upon the clouds of heaven. 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. What think ye? They answering said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face and buffet him, and others smote him, Saying, Prophesy to us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?
And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and with him were assembled all the chief priests, and the elders and scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest, and sat with the officers, and warmed himself. read more. Then the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus, to put him to death, and found none. For many bore false witness against him; but their evidences were not sufficient. And there arose certain, and bore false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. And neither so was their evidence sufficient. Then the high priest standing up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man, sitting on the right-hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes and saith, What farther need have we of witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to deserve death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, Prophesy, And the officers smote him with the palms of their hands.
And when it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, Saying, Art thou the Christ? Tell us. And he said to them, If I tell you, ye will not believe. read more. And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right-hand of the power of God. And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? He said, Ye say it: I am. And they said, What farther need have we of witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.
Then the chief priests and elders assembled a council and said, What do we?
He spake not this of himself, but being high-priest that year, he prophesied, that Jesus should die for the nation:
And led him away to Annas first (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.)
And led him away to Annas first (for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high 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.