High Priest living at the time of the New Testament
Annas, a high priest, played a significant role in the events surrounding Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion, as well as in the early persecution of the apostles.
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Annas was a high priest during the time of Jesus' ministry and played a significant role in the events surrounding Jesus' arrest and trial. He served as high priest from AD 6 to 15 and was succeeded by his son-in-law Caiaphas. However, even after his tenure, Annas retained significant influence and was still referred to as high priest.
After Jesus' arrest, He was first brought before Annas for questioning. Annas then sent Jesus to Caiaphas, the current high priest, who presided over the Sanhedrin trial that condemned Jesus to death.
Following Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, Annas continued to oppose the early Christian church. When the apostles Peter and John were arrested for preaching in Jesus' name, they were brought before the Sanhedrin, where Annas was present as a member of the ruling council.
Annas' involvement in the events surrounding Jesus' trial and the persecution of the early church highlights the significant influence he held, even though he was no longer the official high priest. His actions demonstrate the religious establishment's opposition to Jesus and the growing Christian movement in the early days of the church.
Part of: The High-Priestly Family
John says Jesus was led first to Annas, father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Luke lists both as high priests.
Sources: Scripture
Acts 4 names Annas, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander with "all who were of the high-priestly family" as the court that questioned Peter and John.
Sources: Scripture
John says Jesus was first sent to Annas, then to Caiaphas, then to Pilate. Jesus tells Pilate the one who delivered him has the greater sin.
Sources: Scripture
John says another disciple, known to the high priest, got Peter into the courtyard. Is he John the apostle, the Beloved Disciple, or someone else?
Sources: Scripture
More background: search Wikipedia ↗
Was high priest A.D. 7-14. In A.D. 25 Caiaphas, who had married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13), was raised to that office, and probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrim, or deputy or coadjutor of the high priest, and thus was also called high priest along with Caiaphas (Luke 3:2). By the Mosaic law the high-priesthood was held for life (Num. 3:10); and although Annas had been deposed by the Roman procurator, the Jews may still have regarded him as legally the high priest. Our Lord was first brought before Annas, and after a brief questioning of him (John 18:19-23) was sent to Caiaphas, when some members of the Sanhedrim had met, and the first trial of Jesus took place (Matt. 26:57-68). This examination of our Lord before Annas is recorded only by John. Annas was president of the Sanhedrim before which Peter and John were brought (Acts 4:6).
(humble), the son of one Seth was appointed high priest A.D. 7 by Quirinus, the imperial governor of Syria, but was obliged by Valerius Gratus, procurator of Judea, to give way to Ismael, son of Phabi, at the beginning of the reign of Tiberius, A.D. 14. About A.D. 25 Joseph Caiaphas, son-in-law of An-nas, became high priest, (John 18:13) but in Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas are both called high priests. Our Lord’s first hearing, (John 18:13) was before Annas, who then sent him bound to Caiaphas. Some maintain that the two, Annas and Caiaphas, were together at the head of the Jewish people,—Caiaphas as actual high priest, Annas as resident of the Sanhedrin- (Acts 4:6) Others again suppose that Annas held the office of sagin, or substitute of the high priest; others still that Annas held the title and was really the ruling power. He lived to old age, having had five sons high priests.
one who answers; humble
AN'NAS, the son of Seth, and a high priest of the Jews. He was appointed by Quirinus, governor of Syria, a.d. 7, and was removed by Valerius Gratius, procurator of Judaea, a.d. 23. The office was originally held for life, but in Judaea's degenerate and dependent position it was one of the spoils of office, to be given to the ruler's favorite, and to be taken away upon the loss of favor. After his deposition Annas continued to hold the title; and although Caiaphas, his son-in-law, was the actual high priest, he was the ruling power. This explains the reference in Luke 3:2. This power he retained for nearly fifty years, having had five sons in succession in the high priest's office. Our Lord was brought first before Annas on the night of his seizure. John 18:13-24. The guilt of Christ's crucifixion rests most upon Annas, since Pilate tried to shield him, and Caiaphas was but his tool. Annas is mentioned as the president of the Sanhedrin, before whom Peter and John were brought. Acts 4:6.
AN'NAS, the son of Seth, and a high priest of the Jews. He was appointed by Quirinus, governor of Syria, a.d. 7, and was removed by Valerius Gratius, procurator of Judaea, a.d. 23. The office was originally held for life, but in Judaea's degenerate and dependent position it was one of the spoils of office, to be given to the ruler's favorite, and to be taken away upon the loss of favor. After his deposition Annas continued to hold the title; and although Caiaphas, his son-in-law, was the actual high priest, he was the ruling power. This explains the reference in Luke 3:2. This power he retained for nearly fifty years, having had five sons in succession in the high priest's office. Our Lord was brought first before Annas on the night of his seizure. John 18:13-24. The guilt of Christ's crucifixion rests most upon Annas, since Pilate tried to shield him, and Caiaphas was but his tool. Annas is mentioned as the president of the Sanhedrin, before whom Peter and John were brought. Acts 4:6. ANOINT' Gen 31:13. The first biblical instance is in the passage cited, and it signifies in that connection the pouring of oil upon the stone which Jacob had set up for a pillar. Gen 28:18. The anointing of persons, places, and things with oil or ointment of a particular composition was a mode of consecration prescribed by divine authority, and extensively practised among the Hebrews. Ex 28:41. The ingredients of the ointment, embracing the most exquisite perfumes and balsams, are minutely given, Ex 30:23-33, and the common use of it was expressly forbidden. Ex 30:33. It was customary at festivals, and on other great and joyful occasions, to anoint the head with fragrant oil; hence it became a sign of joy or happiness; the omission of anointing was therefore a sign of grief. For…
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
4 verses in 3 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G0452
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priestʼs family.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.