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Caiaphas

the high priest that year

Who was Caiaphas?

Also called
Joseph Caiaphas, according to the historian Josephus Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities XVIII, 2, 2; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Joseph Caiphas”
Occupation
High priest of Jerusalem John 11:49; John 18:13
Caiaphas, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

John 18:13

And they led him away to Annas first, for he was father in law to Caiphas, who was the high priest of that year.

John 11:49-50

49But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest that year, said to them: You know nothing. 50Neither do you consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Matthew 26:57, 63-66

57But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled. 63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God. 64Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65Then the high priests rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy: 66What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Caiaphas

  1. Before Jesus. After Lazarus was raised, the chief priests and the Pharisees met in council. They were afraid everyone would believe in Jesus and the Romans would come. John 11:47-48
  2. Before Jesus. Caiaphas told them it was better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish. John 11:49-50
  3. Before Jesus. John says he did not say this on his own: as high priest, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation. And not only for the nation, but to gather into one the scattered children of God. John 11:51-52
  4. With Jesus. The leaders met in his palace to find a way to arrest Jesus by trickery and kill him. Matthew 26:3-4
  5. With Jesus. On the night of the arrest, they took Jesus first to the house of Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was high priest that year. John 18:13
  6. With Jesus. Then Annas sent Jesus, still bound, to Caiaphas. John 18:24
  7. With Jesus. On the night of the arrest, they brought Jesus to the house of Caiaphas. The scribes and the elders were gathered there. Matthew 26:57
  8. With Jesus. They were looking for false testimony against Jesus. Caiaphas charged him, by the living God, to say whether he was the Messiah, the Son of God. Matthew 26:59, 63
  9. With Jesus. Jesus answered yes. Caiaphas tore his robes and said Jesus had blasphemed, and the others said Jesus deserved to die. Matthew 26:64-66
  10. Afterward. At dawn they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to Pilate’s praetorium. Later, Caiaphas sat on the council that judged Peter and John. John 18:28; Acts 4:5-7
  11. Afterward. In that council they forbade Peter and John to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John answered that they could not keep quiet about what they had seen and heard. They were let go. Acts 4:18-21

Words of Caiaphas

“You know nothing. Neither do you consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” John 11:49-50

In the council of the chief priests and the Pharisees, after Lazarus was raised.

“Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee?” Matthew 26:62

At the trial that night, while Jesus kept silent before the witnesses.

“I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God.” Matthew 26:63

At the same trial, when Jesus remained silent.

What they were like

Not to be confused with

What people ask

What was the high priest?

The head of the priests of the Temple in Jerusalem. He also presided over the Sanhedrin, the highest council. Matthew 26:57, 59; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Joseph Caiphas”

Why does the Gospel say Caiaphas prophesied?

John says he did not speak on his own. As high priest, he foretold that Jesus would die for the nation and for the scattered children of God. John 11:51-52; Catechism 596

Was Caiaphas high priest for only one year?

No. John says “that year,” but according to the NAB note, Caiaphas was high priest from A.D. 18 to 36. John 11:49; NAB note on Jn 11, 49

Did all the leaders agree with Caiaphas?

No. The Catechism says the authorities in Jerusalem were not unanimous. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were secret disciples of Jesus. Catechism 595; Catechism 596

What else did Jesus tell Caiaphas, besides answering yes?

He told him they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven. Matthew 26:64

Did Caiaphas have anything to do with Stephen and with Saul?

Acts does not give the name of the high priest in those stories. The Catholic Encyclopedia thinks it was almost certainly Caiaphas: Stephen spoke before him, and Saul received letters from him for Damascus. Acts 7:1; Acts 9:1-2; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Joseph Caiphas”

What he did In his house they looked for false witnesses against Jesus. Matthew 26:59 He tore his robes and accused Jesus of blasphemy. Matthew 26:65 From his house, they…

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