Lexical Summary Kaiaphas: Caiaphas Original Word: Καϊάφας Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Caiaphas. Of Chaldee origin; the dell; Caiaphas (i.e. Cajepha), an Israelite -- Caiaphas. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Aramaic origin Definition Caiaphas, an Isr. high priest NASB Translation Caiaphas (9). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2533: ΚαϊάφαςΚαϊάφας (WH Καϊάφας; (cf. Iota, at the end); Lachmann in Luke 3:2 Καιφας), Καϊάφα (Buttmann, 20 (18); Winer's Grammar, § 8, 1), ὁ (supposed by many to be the same as כֵּפָא, a stone, a rock; others more correctly equivalent to כָּיְפָא, depression, Targ. on Proverbs 16:26 (according to Delitzsch (Brief and. Röm. ins Hebrew etc., p. 28) קַיָפָא)), Caiaphas; according to Josephus (Antiquities 18, 2, 2) Ιωσηπος, ὁ καί Καϊάφας (Ιωσηπον, τόν καί Καϊάφαν ἐπικαλούμενον, Antiquities 18, 4, 3), high priest of the Jews. He was appointed to that office by Valerius Gratus, governor of Judaea, after the removal of Simon, son of Camith, STRONGS NT 2533: Καιφας [Καιφας, see Καϊάφας.] Topical Lexicon Identity and Historical Background Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest who presided over the Sanhedrin from approximately AD 18 to 36. He served under Roman Prefects Valerius Gratus and Pontius Pilate, giving him an unusually long tenure for an office often changed at Rome’s whim. His name appears nine times in the Greek New Testament, always in connection with decisive moments in the ministry, trial, and aftermath of Jesus Christ. Appointment and Tenure Josephus records that Caiaphas was appointed by Valerius Gratus and removed by Vitellius, the Syrian governor, in AD 36. His long incumbency made him a central religious and political figure when the Gospel events unfolded. Family Connections Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, a previous high priest who retained great influence (John 18:13). Acts 4:6 lists Annas, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander as members of the high-priestly family, showing a dynasty that controlled the temple hierarchy. This familial network wielded considerable authority over the priesthood, temple commerce, and legal proceedings. Caiaphas’ Role in the Gospels Matthew and Mark place him at the heart of the plot to arrest and condemn Jesus. “Then the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas” (Matthew 26:3). Luke 3:2 anchors John the Baptist’s public ministry during “the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,” situating the forerunner’s call to repentance within Caiaphas’s reign. John’s Gospel gives greater detail, describing how Jesus was brought first to Annas and then to Caiaphas (John 18:24), and how the Roman governor engaged with the Sanhedrin at Caiaphas’s urging (John 18:28). Prophetic Pronouncement Caiaphas uttered an unintended prophecy that revealed God’s redemptive plan: “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50). John comments that he “did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation” (John 11:51-52). The statement underscores divine sovereignty: even an unbelieving leader’s words serve God’s purposes. Judicial Proceedings against Jesus As presiding high priest, Caiaphas convened an illegal night session of the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57–68). False witnesses were sought, Jesus was charged with blasphemy, and the council declared Him deserving of death. The authority to carry out capital punishment, however, rested with Rome; hence Caiaphas delivered Jesus to Pilate at dawn (John 18:28). His actions reveal the intricate collaboration between Jewish leadership and Roman governance in the crucifixion. Caiaphas in Acts After the resurrection, Caiaphas again confronted the followers of Jesus. Peter and John were arraigned before the same Sanhedrin that condemned Christ. Acts 4:6 notes, “Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high priest’s family.” The apostles’ bold declaration that “there is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12) directly challenged Caiaphas’s authority, marking an early clash between the old covenant hierarchy and the newborn church. Theological Themes 1. Sovereignty of God: Caiaphas’s prophecy (John 11:49-52) shows God directing history through both righteous and unrighteous actors. Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Witness An ossuary discovered in 1990 in southern Jerusalem bears the inscription “Joseph son of Caiaphas,” matching Josephus’s designation of the high priest as Joseph Caiaphas. While absolute certainty is impossible, the find supports the Gospel depiction of Caiaphas as a historical figure. Practical Ministry Reflections • Leadership Accountability: Caiaphas’s misuse of authority warns spiritual leaders to align governance with God’s purposes, not personal or political expediency. Primary New Testament Occurrences John 11:49; John 18:13-14, 24, 28 Forms and Transliterations Καιαφα Καιάφα Καϊάφα Καιαφαν Καιάφαν Καϊάφαν Καιαφας Καιάφας Καϊάφας Kaiapha Kaiápha Kaiaphan Kaiáphan Kaiaphas KaiáphasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:3 N-GMSGRK: τοῦ λεγομένου Καιάφα NAS: of the high priest, named Caiaphas; KJV: who was called Caiaphas, INT: who was called Caiaphas Matthew 26:57 N-AMS Luke 3:2 N-GMS John 11:49 N-NMS John 18:13 N-GMS John 18:24 N-AMS John 18:28 N-GMS Acts 4:6 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2533 |
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