First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year — The preliminary examination before Annas (not mentioned in Synoptics) establishes the Jewish trial's complexity. Annas, retired high priest with continued influence, conducts the initial interrogation. The phrase "high priest that year" (ho archiereus tou eniautos ekeinou) is sometimes misread as suggesting annual rotation, but likely emphasizes the single year of Jesus' death—a year of unusual providence. The family connection (Annas-Caiaphas) reveals dynastic priestly power.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse