Caiaphas
Caiaphas was the leader of the religious group called the Sadducees. Educated and wealthy, they were politically influential in the nation. As the elite group, they were on fairly good terms with Rome. They hated Jesus because he endangered their secure life-styles and taught a message they could not accept. A kingdom in which leaders served had no appeal to them.

Caiaphas’s usual policy was to remove any threats to his power by whatever means necessary. For Caiaphas, whether Jesus should die was not in question; the only point to be settled was when his death should take place. Not only did Jesus have to be captured and tried; the Jewish high council also needed Roman approval before they could carry out the death sentence. Caiaphas’s plans were unexpectedly helped by Judas’s offer to betray Christ.

Caiaphas did not realize that his schemes were actually part of a wonderful plan God was carrying out. Caiaphas’s willingness to sacrifice another man to preserve his own security was decidedly selfish. By contrast, Jesus’ willingness to die for us was a clear example of loving self-sacrifice. Caiaphas thought he had won the battle as Jesus hung on the cross, but he did not count on the Resurrection!

Caiaphas’s mind was closed. He couldn’t accept the Resurrection even when the evidence was overwhelming, and he attempted to silence those whose lives had been forever changed by the risen Christ (Matthew 28:12, 13). Caiaphas represents those people who will not believe because they think it will cost them too much to accept Jesus as Lord. They choose the fleeting power, prestige, and pleasures of this life instead of the eternal life God offers those who receive his Son. What is your choice?

1 Strength and accomplishment

- High priest for 18 years

2 Weaknesses and mistakes

- One of those most directly responsible for Jesus’ death

- Used his office as a means to power and personal security

- Planned Jesus’ capture, carried out his illegal trial, pressured Pilate to approve the Crucifixion, attempted to prevent the Resurrection, and later tried to cover up the fact of the Resurrection

- Kept up religious appearances while compromising with Rome

- Involved in the later persecution of Christians

3 Lessons from his life

- God uses even the twisted motives and actions of his enemies to bring about his will

- When we cover selfish motives with spiritual objectives and words, God still sees our intentions

4 Vital statistics

- Where: Jerusalem

- Occupation: High priest

- Relative: Father-in-law: Annas

- Contemporaries: Jesus, Pilate, Herod Antipas

5 Key verses

"And one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, ‘How can you be so stupid? Why should the whole nation be destroyed? Let this one man die for the people’" (John 11:49, 50).

 

Caiaphas

1.The Jewish high priest (A.D. 27) at the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry, in the reign of Tiberius #Lu 3:2 and also at the time of his condemnation and crucifixion #Mt 26:3,57 Joh 11:49 #Joh 18:13,14 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 (Heb. sagan) of Caiaphas. He was of the sect of the Sadducees #Ac 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" #Joh 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 #Mt 27:2 Joh 18:28 At a later period his hostility to the gospel is still manifest #Ac 4:6

2. Appointed high priest by the governor Valerius Gratus, A. D. 26, he remained in office until A. D. 36, when he was deposed by the proconsul Vitellius. He prophesied that it was expedient that one man should die for the nation, that the whole nation might not perish. #Joh 11:50,51. He presided at the trial of the Lord, #Mt 26:3,57 Lu 3:2 Joh 11:49 18:13,28 and was present when Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrim. #Ac 4:6.