Caiaphas

Joseph Caiaphas served as high priest from approximately AD 18 to 36, appointed by the Roman prefect Valerius Gratus. He was the son-in-law of Annas, the former high priest who still wielded significant power. Together, they controlled the temple establishment and its lucrative commerce.

Caiaphas first appears significantly after the raising of Lazarus, when the Sanhedrin convened to discuss Jesus. Many feared that Jesus' growing popularity would provoke Roman intervention: "If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." Caiaphas cut through the debate with cold political calculus: "It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not."

John's Gospel notes that Caiaphas spoke more than he knew—he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, "and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad." From that day, they planned Jesus' death.

At Jesus' trial, Caiaphas presided over the proceedings, seeking testimony against Jesus. When witnesses contradicted each other, Caiaphas demanded, "Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" When Jesus affirmed it, Caiaphas tore his garments and declared it blasphemy. The council condemned Jesus as worthy of death and delivered Him to Pilate. After the resurrection, Caiaphas continued persecuting the early church, interrogating Peter and John.