Annas and Caiaphas

Annas (Hebrew: חנן), son of Seth, was born in 23/22 BC and died around 40 AD. In 6 AD, the Roman legate Quirinius appointed Annas as the first High Priest of the newly established Roman province of Judea, just after the Roman emperor had deposed the ruler Herod Archelaus and directly incorporated Judea as a province.

Annas served as High Priest from 6 to 15 AD, and was deposed at the age of 36. According to Jewish tradition, the High Priesthood was a lifelong position. Thus, even after Annas lost his official role, he was still regarded as the legitimate High Priest by the Jewish people (Acts 4:6). He remained one of the most politically and socially influential figures in the nation, with strong support from his five sons and his son-in-law, Caiaphas. Caiaphas served as High Priest from 18 to 36 AD, a position recognized by the Roman government. Although Caiaphas was the official High Priest when John the Baptist began his ministry, Annas still wielded great influence. Together, they organized and participated in the trial and subsequent killing of Jesus. In the Gospels, Annas, in his capacity as High Priest, handed Jesus over for trial and then to Pontius Pilate.