Annas

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The terms of Annas, Caiaphas, and the five brothers are:

Annas served officially as High Priest for ten years (AD 6–15), when at the age of 36 he was deposed by the procurator Valerius Gratus. Yet while having been officially removed from office, he remained as one of the nation's most influential political and social individuals, aided greatly by the fact that his five sons and his son-in-law Caiaphas all served at sometime as High Priests.Josephus, Jewish Antiquities XX, 9.1; "It is said that the elder Ananus was extremely fortunate. For he had five sons, all of whom, after he himself had previously enjoyed the office for a very long period, became high priests of God - a thing that had never happened to any other of our high priests." His death is unrecorded. His son Annas the Younger, also known as Ananus the son of Ananus, was assassinated in AD 66 for advocating peace with Rome.

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{{s-bef|before=Joazar ben Boethus}}

{{s-ttl|title=High Priest of Israel|years=c.6—15}}

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After Valerius Gratus deposed Ishmael ben Fabus from the high priesthood, he installed Eleazar ben Ananus, (15—16),Josephus Antiquities 18.2.2[https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/high-priests-of-the-second-temple-period "High Priests of the Second Temple Period", Jewish Virtual Library] a descendant of John Hyrcanus. It was a time of turbulence in Jewish politics, with the role of the high priesthood being contended for by several priestly families. Eleazar was likewise deposed by Gratus, who gave the office to Simon ben Camithus (17-18).

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Caiaphas was married to the daughter of Annas (John 18:13). Gratus made him high priest after depriving Simon ben Camithus of the office. The comparatively long eighteen-year tenure of Caiaphas suggests he had established a good working relationship with the Roman authorities. Gratus' successor Pontius Pilate retained him as high priest.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/caiaphas/|author= Lendering, Jona|title=Caiaphas|website=www.livius.org}}

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{{s-bef|before=Simon ben Camithus}}

{{s-ttl|title=High Priest of Israel|years=18-36}}

{{s-aft|after=Jonathan ben Ananus}}

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{{s-ttl|title=High Priest of Israel|years=36—37}}

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{{s-ttl|title=High Priest of Israel|years=36—37}}

{{s-aft|after=Simon Cantatheras ben Boethus}}

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{{s-bef|before=Simon Cantatheras ben Boethus}}

{{s-ttl|title=High Priest of Israel|years=43}}

{{s-aft|after=Elioneus ben Simon Cantatheras}}

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{{s-bef|before=Elioneus ben Simon Cantatheras}}

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{{s-aft|after=Josephus ben Camydus}}

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References in the Mosaic Law to "the death of the high priest" ({{bibleref2|Numbers|35:25, 28|NKJV}}) suggest that the high-priesthood was ordinarily held for life.{{cn|date = March 2024}} Annas was still called "high priest" even after his dismissal, along with Caiaphas (Luke 3:2),{{primary source inline|date = March 2023}} perhaps for that reason.{{check|date = March 2024}}{{cn|date = March 2024}} It is also thought{{says who|date = March 2024}} that Annas also may have been acting as president of the Sanhedrin, or a coadjutor of the high priest.{{check|date = March 2024}}{{cn|date = March 2024}}

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Although Caiaphas was the properly appointed high priest, Annas, being his father-in-law and a former incumbent of the office, he possibly retained some of the power attached to the position.[https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/1554-annas Enelow, H.G., "Annas", Jewish Encyclopedia] According to the Gospel of John (the event is not mentioned in other accounts), Jesus was first brought before Annas, whose palace was closer.{{cite book|first1=Richard|last1=Gottheil|first2=Samuel|last2=Krauss|chapter-url=http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3903-caiaphas|title=1906 Jewish Encyclopedia|chapter=Caiaphas|website=Jewish Encyclopedia|access-date=11 January 2019}} Annas questioned him regarding his disciples and teaching, and then sent him on to Caiaphas, where some members of the Sanhedrin had met, and where in Matthew's account the first trial of Jesus took place ({{bibleverse|Matthew|26:57-68|KJV}}).

After Pentecost, Annas presided over the Sanhedrin before which the Apostles Peter and John were brought ({{bibleverse|Acts|4:6|KJV}}).

Annas has an important role in Jesus Christ Superstar, as one of the two main antagonists of the show (the other being Caiaphas) spurring Pontius Pilate to take action against Jesus. In almost all versions, Annas has a high voice to contrast against Caiaphas' bass. Despite being Caiaphas' father-in-law, Annas is generally played by a younger actor.

• List of biblical figures identified in extra-biblical sources

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{{High Priests of Judaism}}

{{New Testament people}}

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Category:1st-century high priests of Israel

Category:People in the canonical gospels

Category:People in Acts of the Apostles