Caiaphas (Luke 3:2; John 11:43–53; Matthew 26:3–5; John 18:12–14; John 18:19–24; Matthew 26:57–68; John 18:28; Acts 4:5–22)

The high priest that year, who told the council that it was expedient that one man should die for the people, in whose court the chief priests took counsel against Jesus, and before whom Jesus was led.

Caiaphas is named with Annas in the dating of John the Baptist's call, “in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas” (Luke 3:2), and Acts 4:6 names “Annas the high priest” (Acts 4:6) and Caiaphas together among the rulers. The Gospel of John says Annas was “father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year” (John 18:13).

When the chief priests and Pharisees gathered a council because Jesus did many signs, “a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (John 11:49–50). The Gospel adds, “Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation” (John 11:51). “So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death” (John 11:53).

The chief priests and elders were gathered “unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas” (Matthew 26:3), and Jesus was led to the house of Caiaphas the high priest (Matthew 26:57). There the high priest said, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:63), and, when Jesus answered, “rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy” (Matthew 26:65). From Caiaphas they led Jesus to the Prætorium (John 18:28).

Weaknesses

• Counseling Jesus' death
• Calling Jesus' answer blasphemy

Themes

• One man for the people
• The council
• The high priest's court
• Annas and Caiaphas

Caiaphas speaks to the council (John 11:43–53)

After Jesus raises Lazarus and the council gathers, Caiaphas says it is expedient that one man should die for the people; from that day they take counsel to put Jesus to death.

Caiaphas speaks to the council

“The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11:47–48).

“But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (John 11:49–50).

The Gospel of John explains, “Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad” (John 11:51–52).

Counsel in the high priest's court (Matthew 26:3–5)

The chief priests and elders gather in the court of the high priest, called Caiaphas, and take counsel to take Jesus by subtlety and kill him.

Jesus is led to Annas and to Caiaphas (John 18:12–14; John 18:19–24)

The band and officers bind Jesus and lead him to Annas first; the high priest asks him of his disciples and teaching; Annas sends him bound to Caiaphas.

The high priest questions Jesus (Matthew 26:57–68)

At the house of Caiaphas the council seeks false witness against Jesus; the high priest adjures him, rends his garments, and the council says he is worthy of death.

The high priest questions Jesus

“And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together” (Matthew 26:57).

“And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:62–63). Jesus answered, “Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).

“Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses?” (Matthew 26:65). “They answered and said, He is worthy of death” (Matthew 26:66).

Jesus is led to Pilate (John 18:28)

They lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the Prætorium early; they do not enter, that they might not be defiled but might eat the passover.

Annas and Caiaphas before Peter and John (Acts 4:5–22)

In Acts, the rulers, elders and scribes gather in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas and others, and question Peter and John about the healing of a man.

Annas (John 18:13; John 18:24; Luke 3:2; Acts 4:6)

Father in law to Caiaphas; Jesus was led to Annas first, and Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas. Luke 3:2 and Acts 4:6 name them together.

Jesus (John 11:49–51; Matthew 26:57; Matthew 26:62–65)

Counseled that one man should die for the people; the high priest questioned Jesus and said he had spoken blasphemy.

The chief priests and Pharisees (John 11:47–49; Matthew 26:3–4)

The council Caiaphas spoke to; the chief priests and elders gathered in his court.

Major sections

• John 11:43–53
• Matthew 26:3–5
• Matthew 26:57–68
• John 18:12–28

More illuminations · Harbinger's Lamp