Taken To Annas Then To Caiaphas

JESUS, bound as a common criminal, is led to Annas, the influential former high priest. Annas was high priest when Jesus as a 12-year old lad amazed the rabbinic teachers at the temple. Several of Annas' sons later served as high priest, and presently his son-in-law Caiaphas holds that position. Jesus is probably first led to the home of Annas because of that chief priest's longtime prominence in Jewish religious life. This stopover to see Annas allows time for High Priest Caiaphas to assemble the Sanhedrin, the 71-member Jewish high court, as well as to gather false witnesses.

Chief priest Annas now questions Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. However, Jesus says in reply: "I have spoken to the world publicly. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them. See! These know what I said." At this, one of the officers standing near Jesus slaps him in the face, saying: "Is that the way you answer the chief priest?" "If I spoke wrongly," Jesus replies, "bear witness concerning the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me?" After this exchange, Annas sends Jesus away bound to Caiaphas.

By now all the chief priests and the older men and the scribes, yes,the whole Sanhedrin, are beginning to assemble. Their place of meeting is evidently the home of Caiaphas. To hold such a trial on the night of a Passover is clearly against Jewish law. But this does not deter the religious leaders from their wicked purpose.

Weeks before, when Jesus resurrected Lazarus, the Sanhedrin had already determined among themselves that he must die. And just two days earlier, on Wednesday, the religious authorities took counsel together to seize Jesus by crafty device to kill him. Imagine, he has actually been condemned before his trial!

Efforts are now underway to find witnesses who will provide false evidence so that a case may be built against Jesus. However, no witnesses can be found who are in agreement in their testimony. Eventually, two come forward and assert: "We heard him say, 'I will throw down this temple that was made with hands and in three days I will build another not made with hands.' "

Next time: Conclusion of Taken To Annas Then To Caiaphas

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991