Jesus Taken to Annas
Scripture
John 18:12-14,19-24
Similar Passage
Before the Sanhedrin
Commentary
Before Jesus was taken to Caiphas the high
priest, He was first taken to Annas. Annas was the former
high priest and held no legal authority but still carried
religious clout.
The position of high priest was meant to be a
lifetime position but this much authority threatened the Romans
and Annas was deposed of his position. The position stayed
within the family however, passing on to Annas' five sons and
finally to his son-in-law Caiphas by this time.
As Jesus' trial began illegally in the middle of
the night, the stop at Annas' house was as much for ceremonial
show as it was a stalling tactic. The Sanhedrin needed to
be assembled and this could take some time even though many were
already a part of the mob that came to arrest Jesus.
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