Lesson 22: Annas, Caiphas, Pilate

Introduction:  Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane.  
He was brought before Annas, Caiphas, and the Sanhedrin and found 
worthy of death.  The high priest and the council had no 
authority to carry out a death penalty, so they brought Jesus 
to Pilate.   In this lesson we will study these three men.

I. Annas (Lk. 3:2; Jn. 18:13, 24; Acts 4:6)
   A. Annas was elevated to the high-priesthood by Quirinius, 
      governor of Syria, in 7 AD.
   B. Deposed by Valerius Gratus in 15 AD
   C. Even though he was "deprived of official status, he 
      continued to wield great power as the dominant member of the 
      hierarchy, using members of his family as his willing 
      instruments" (ISBE, p. 137). 
   D. When Jesus was arrested, He was led away to Annas first 
      (Jn. 18:13).
   E. Annas questioned Jesus about His disciples and His doctrines 
      (Jn. 18:19-23).
      1. Jesus responded to Annas by saying that He taught openly.
      2. An officer struck Jesus because of the way he answered 
     the high priest.
   F. Jesus was bound and sent to Caiaphas (Jn. 18:24).

II. Caiaphas (Mt. 26:3,57; Lk. 3:2; Jn. 11:49; 18:13,14,24,28; 
    Acts 4:6)
   A. The high priest, son-in-law of Annas (Jn. 18:13)
   B. Caiaphas served as high priest from about 18-36 AD.
   C. He prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation 
      (Jn. 11:49-51).
   D. Plotted to kill Jesus (Mt. 26:3,4)
   E. Appearance of Jesus before Caiaphas and the council 
      (Mt. 26:57-68)
      1. When false witness came forward, Caiaphas asked Jesus 
     to answer the charges, but Jesus remained silent.
      2. Caiaphas said to Jesus,  "I put You under oath by the 
     living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of 
     God" (Mt. 26:63)!
      3. Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, 
     I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man 
     sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on 
     the clouds of heaven" (Mt. 26:64).
      4. Caiaphas accused Jesus of blasphemy.  They spat in His 
     face and beat Him, and in the morning, led Jesus away and 
     delivered Him to Pilate (Mt. 26:65-68; 27:1-2).             
    
Principle: Some people will resort to unscrupulous acts to 
       protect their status.

III. Pilate (Mt. 27; Mk. 15; Lk. 23; Jn. 18, 19)
   A. At the time of Christ's arrest, Pilate was the governor of 
      Palestine, the representative of Rome.
      1. "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius 
     Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod 
     being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch 
     of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias 
     tetrarch of Abilene," (Lk. 3:1).
   B. Jesus was delivered to Pilate (Mt. 27:2; Mk. 15:1).
      1. The rulers of the Jews asked Pilate to put Jesus to 
     death (Acts 13:28).
      2. Jesus entered the judgment hall, and Pilate asked, "Are 
     You the King of the Jews" (Jn. 18:33)?  Jesus answered, 
     "You have said so" (Mt. 27:11, cf. 1 Tim. 6:13).  After 
     this, Jesus answered nothing (Mk. 15:5).
      3. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod because he knew that Jesus 
     belonged to Herod's jurisdiction (Lk. 23:6-12).
     a. Herod questioned Jesus.
     b. He hoped that Jesus would perform a miracle.
     c. Jesus did not answer Herod's questions, so Herod sent 
        him back to Pilate.  That day, Herod and Pilate 
        became friends.
   C. Jesus was brought to Pilate a second time.
      1. Pilate declared the innocence of Jesus to the chief 
     priests and rulers (Lk. 23:13).
      2. Pilate told them that even Herod could find no fault in 
     Him (Lk. 23:15).
      3. Pilate was afraid (Jn. 19:8).
      4. Pilate said he would release Jesus after chastising Him 
     (Lk. 23:16).  He was determined to let Him go (Acts 3:13). 
      5. Pilate asked, "'Which of the two (Jesus or Barabbas) do 
     you want me to release to you?'  They said, 'Barabbas'" 
     (Mt. 27:21). Barabbas was a  notorious prisoner arrested 
     for robbery, sedition, and murder (Mt. 27:16; Mk. 15:7; 
     Jn. 18:40).
      6. The people cried out, "Crucify Him" (Lk. 23:21).  
      7. Pilate washed his hands before the crowd saying, "I 
     am innocent of this man's blood" (Mt. 27:24).
   D. Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified (Mt. 27:26; 
      Acts 4:27).
      1. Pilate placed the title, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King 
     of the Jews," on the cross (Jn. 19:19).
      2. When Jesus was dead, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for 
     the body (Lk. 23:52; Jn. 19:38), and Pilate complied.

Principles:
    1. Being cowardly and weak will cause us to forsake the Lord.
    2. Unbridled desire for worldly acclaim will lead us away 
       from our Lord.
    3. No matter the cost, we must do that which is right in the 
       sight of God.
    4. We cannot "wash our hands" of our responsibilities.

Questions:

1. Explain Paul's statement in 1 Tim. 6:13, "...who witnessed the 
   good confession before Pontius Pilate."
2. What was the Sanhedrin?
3. What title did Pilate put on the cross, and why did the Jews 
   object?
4. Why was Pilate afraid (Jn. 19:8), and what warning did he 
   receive from his wife (Mt. 27:19)?
5. Describe the character of Pilate.
6. Why are both Annas and Caiaphas referred to as the high 
   priest?
7. Caiaphas and Annas  resorted to unscrupulous acts to protect 
   their status.  Why did they feel threatened, and what did 
   they do?
8. List the trials of Jesus in order of occurrence.
9.  Were Annas and Caiaphas Sadducees or Pharisees?
10. Why did Pilate want to release Jesus?


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