Who were the high priests during Jesus' ministry?

Historical Context of the High Priesthood

The high priesthood in first-century Judea operated under both Jewish religious law and the oversight of Roman governance. High priests emerged from influential families and wielded significant political authority, in addition to their core religious responsibilities. By the time of Jesus’ public ministry (commonly dated to around the late 20s to early 30s AD), Roman intervention had led to frequent shifts in who held the high priestly office, sometimes replacing incumbents to maintain control.

Annas: The Former High Priest and Influential Patriarch

Annas (also spelled Ananus) served as high priest from approximately AD 6 to AD 15, having been appointed by the Roman governor Quirinius. Though later deposed by Roman authorities, he remained highly influential even after his removal. Several subsequent high priests were his sons or sons-in-law.

The Gospels reflect Annas’s ongoing clout. John’s Gospel notes that after Jesus was arrested, “They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas” (John 18:12–13). Even though he no longer officially held the title, the religious leaders recognized his stature, and so Jesus was taken to him before ultimately being interrogated by the reigning high priest.

Caiaphas: The Official High Priest During Jesus’ Trial

Caiaphas, whose name was Joseph Caiaphas, officially served as high priest from about AD 18 to about AD 36 or 37. He was the son-in-law of Annas and maintained a lengthy term in office compared to many of his contemporaries—likely indicating that he had garnered favor with the Roman authorities as well as with Jewish leadership. The narrative of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion situates Caiaphas as the acting high priest.

Matthew 26:57 states, “Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.” The Gospels thus identify Caiaphas as the presiding authority, and he played a major role in the series of examinations that led to the condemnation of Jesus. Luke also mentions both Annas and Caiaphas at the start of John the Baptist’s ministry, recording that it occurred “during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas” (Luke 3:2), underscoring their overlapping influence.

Other Family Members Who Served as High Priest

After Annas’s own deposition, five of his sons and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, rose to the high priestly office at one time or another. This reveals how hereditary connections were pivotal in controlling the temple and the religious establishment of the day. While Annas and Caiaphas are the figures most prominent in the Gospel narratives concerning Jesus, the broader family held continuous sway over the high priesthood.

Scriptural References

1. Luke 3:2: “During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.”

2. John 18:12–13: “Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him. They led Him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.”

3. Matthew 26:57: “Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.”

4. Acts 4:6: “the high priest Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.”

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

Outside the Bible, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus speaks of Annas (Ananus) and Caiaphas, describing the power and political ties of the high priestly families (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.2.1–2; 20.9.1). Skeletal remains excavated in a tomb in the Jerusalem area—commonly referred to as the “Caiaphas Ossuary”—provide an intriguing archaeological point of reference. The names and inscriptions discovered have been associated with the same Caiaphas mentioned in the Gospel narratives. This find supports and contextualizes the biblical text about the man who oversaw Jesus’ trial.

The Significance of the High Priests in Jesus’ Ministry

During Jesus’ ministry, the high priests upheld vital religious duties including temple sacrifices, overseeing festivals, and presiding over the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council). They maintained a delicate balance between the Jewish population and Roman officials, which often dictated appointments and reappointments to the high priestly office.

Jesus’ open critiques of the temple regulations and the sometimes hypocritical conduct of religious leaders (e.g., Matthew 23:1–36) brought Him into conflict with high-priestly authorities. This conflict culminated in His arrest and trial, where Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin sought to accuse Him of blasphemy (Mark 14:60–64). As the officiating high priest, Caiaphas was central in that judicial process.

Conclusion

During Jesus’ ministry, Annas and Caiaphas stand out as the primary high priests mentioned in the New Testament. Annas served previously and continued to exert considerable influence; Caiaphas held the official role during Jesus’ trial and was involved in pivotal moments leading to His crucifixion. The New Testament’s depiction of their influence, corroborated by historical and archaeological findings, places these two high priests at the center of first-century Jewish religious life—and at the heart of events surrounding the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry.