Jesus Christ

Joseph Caiaphas (AD 18-36) was a Jewish leader in the first century. All four Gospel accounts place Caiaphas at the center of Jesus Christ‘s interrogation by Jewish authorities and his delivery to Pilate. What is surprising about the way in which Caiaphas’ story is told is that the synoptic Gospels authors largely pass over the subject of his motivation for acting against Jesus. Interestingly, the Gospel of John provides a glimpse into Caiaphas’ motivation to impede and thwart Jesus Christ‘s growing popularity: Caiaphas’ was concerned that more people would follow Jesus once they heard about the raising of Lazarus (John 11:47-54). But during the trial scenes, it is Annas, his father-in-law, who directs the proceedings while Caiaphas waits patiently offstage. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not include the miracle of Lazarus or the motives of Caiaphas; all three find it sufficient to relate the story of a Galilean Messiah who travels to Jerusalem... Read the rest of this entry »