Who is…
Caiaphas

This is the name of the Jewish high priest (27-36 AD) at the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry, during the reign of Tiberius (Luke 3:2), and also at the time of his condemnation and crucifixion ( Matthew 26:3, 57; John 11:49; 18:13-14).

The burial ossuary of Caiaphas the High Priest has been found. See our article: Have the burial sites of any people in the Bible been found?

He held this office during the whole of Pilate’s administration. His wife was the daughter of Annas, who had formerly been high priest, and was probably the vicar or deputy (Hebrew: sagan) of Caiaphas.

He was of the sect of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), and was a member of the council when he gave his opinion that Jesus should be put to death “for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (John 11:50). In these words he unconsciously uttered a prophecy. “Like Saul, he was a prophet in spite of himself.”

Caiaphas had no power to inflict the punishment of death, and therefore Jesus was sent to Pilate, the Roman governor, that he might duly pronounce the sentence against him ( Matthew 27:2; John 18:28). At a later period his hostility to the Gospel is still manifest ( Acts 4:6).

More information

• Annas
• Burial
• Have any other burial sites of biblical people been found?
• High priest
• Priest
• Holy Place