Caiaphas
Israelite / Jew Jewish; high priest in Jerusalem · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Role
- High priest who presided at the trial of Jesus
- When
- high priest c. AD 18-36
What they did
He counselled that it was expedient for one man to die for the people, plotted with the elders to take Jesus, and at the night trial declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Without knowing it he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but to gather together in one the children of God scattered abroad.
Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. John 11:50 (KJV)
Bible references
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. John 11:49-52 (KJV)
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. Matthew 26:3-4 (KJV)
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Matthew 26:57 (KJV)
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, 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. 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. Matthew 26:63-65 (KJV)
And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. John 18:13-14 (KJV)
Family
Son-in-law of Annas (John 18:13).