Annas, also known as Ananus, was a significant figure in the New Testament, particularly in the context of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He served as the high priest in Jerusalem from AD 6 to AD 15, appointed by Quirinius, the Roman governor of Syria. Although deposed by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus, Annas retained considerable influence over Jewish religious affairs, largely due to his continued recognition as a high priest by the Jewish people and his familial connections.

Family and Influence

Annas was the patriarch of a powerful priestly family. His influence extended through his sons and son-in-law, Caiaphas, who also served as high priests. The Gospel of John notes this connection: "Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year" (John 18:12-13). This passage highlights Annas's enduring authority and the respect he commanded, even after his official tenure as high priest had ended.

Role in the Trial of Jesus

Annas played a pivotal role in the events leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. After Jesus was arrested, He was taken to Annas for a preliminary hearing. This encounter is recorded in the Gospel of John, where Annas questions Jesus about His disciples and His teachings. Jesus responds, "I have spoken openly to the world... I said nothing in secret. Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said" (John 18:20-21). Annas's involvement in this initial interrogation underscores his significant, albeit unofficial, role in the judicial proceedings against Jesus.

Legacy and Historical Context

Annas's legacy is marked by his enduring influence over the Jewish religious establishment during a turbulent period in Judea's history. His family's control over the high priesthood, with five of his sons and his son-in-law Caiaphas serving in this capacity, reflects the consolidation of religious power within a single family. This concentration of power often led to tensions with other Jewish sects and the Roman authorities.

The New Testament portrays Annas as a figure deeply entrenched in the religious and political dynamics of his time. His actions during the trial of Jesus are seen as part of the broader opposition Jesus faced from the Jewish leadership, who perceived His teachings as a threat to their authority and the established order.

References in Acts

Annas is also mentioned in the Book of Acts, where he is listed among the high priests and elders who questioned Peter and John following the healing of a lame man. Acts 4:6 states, "Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family" . This passage further illustrates Annas's continued involvement in the religious leadership of Jerusalem and his role in the early opposition to the nascent Christian movement.

Annas's life and actions, as recorded in the New Testament, provide insight into the complex interplay of religious authority, political power, and the challenges faced by early Christians in proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ.Annas

one who answers; humble

Annas

(humble), the son of one Seth was appointed high priest A.D. 7 by Quirinus, the imperial governor of Syria, but was obliged by Valerius Gratus, procurator of Judea, to give way to Ismael, son of Phabi, at the beginning of the reign of Tiberius, A.D. 14. About A.D. 25 Joseph Caiaphas, son-in-law of An-nas, became high priest, (John 18:13) but in Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas are both called high priests. Our Lord's first hearing, (John 18:13) was before Annas, who then sent him bound to Caiaphas. Some maintain that the two, Annas and Caiaphas, were together at the head of the Jewish people,--Caiaphas as actual high priest, Annas as resident of the Sanhedrin- (Acts 4:6) Others again suppose that Annas held the office of sagin , or substitute of the high priest; others still that Annas held the title and was really the ruling power. He lived to old age, having had five sons high priests.

Annas

A high priest of the Jews, Luke 3:2; John 18:13,24; Acts 4:6. He is mentioned in Luke as being high priest along with Caiaphas, his son in-law. He was first appointed to that office by Cyrenius, or Quirinus, proconsul of Syria, about A. D. 7 or 8, but was afterwards deprived of it. After various changes, the office was given to Joseph, also called Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas, about A. D. 25, who continued in office until A. D. 35 or 36. In the passages of the New Testament above cited, therefore, it is apparent that Caiaphas was the only actual and proper high priest; but Annas being his father-in-law, and having been formerly himself high priest, and being also perhaps his substitute, had great influence and authority, and could with propriety be still termed high priest along with Caiaphas. It was before him that Christ was first taken on the night of his seizure. He also assisted in presiding over the Sanhedrin which sat in judgment upon Peter and John, Acts 4:6.

Was high priest A.D. 7-14. In A.D. 25 Caiaphas, who had married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13), was raised to that office, and probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrim, or deputy or coadjutor of the high priest, and thus was also called high priest along with Caiaphas (Luke 3:2). By the Mosaic law the high-priesthood was held for life (Numbers 3:10); and although Annas had been deposed by the Roman procurator, the Jews may still have regarded him as legally the high priest. Our Lord was first brought before Annas, and after a brief questioning of him (John 18:19-23) was sent to Caiaphas, when some members of the Sanhedrim had met, and the first trial of Jesus took place (Matthew 26:57-68). This examination of our Lord before Annas is recorded only by John. Annas was president of the Sanhedrim before which Peter and John were brought (Acts 4:6). ANNAS

an'-as (Annas; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek Hannas; Josephus Ananos, the Greek form of Hebrew chanan; "merciful," "gracious"; compare Nehemiah 8:7, etc.):

(1) A high priest of the Jews, the virtual head of the priestly party in Jerusalem in the time of Christ, a man of commanding influence. He was the son of Seth (Josephus: Sethi), and was elevated to the high-priesthood by Quirinius, governor of Syria, 7 A.D. At this period the office was filled and vacated at the caprice of the Roman procurators, and Annas was deposed by Valerius Gratus, 15 A.D. But though 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. That he was an adroit diplomatist is shown by the fact that five of his sons (Ant., XX, ix, 1) and his son-in-law Caiaphas (John 18:13) held the high-priesthood in almost unbroken succession, though he did not survive to see the office filled by his fifth son Annas or Ananus II, who caused Jas the Lord's brother to be stoned to death (circa 62 A.D.). Another mark of his continued influence is, that long after he had lost his office he was still called "high priest," and his name appears first wherever the names of the chief members of the sacerdotal faction are given. Acts 4:6, "And Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest." Annas is almost certainly called high priest in John 18:19, 22, though in John 18:13, 24 Caiaphas is mentioned as the high priest. Note especially the remarkable phrase in Luke 3:2, "in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas," as if they were joint holders of the office. The cases In which Josephus gives the title "high-priest" to persons who no longer held the office afford no real parallel to this. The explanation seems to be that owing to age, ability and force of character Annas was the virtual, though Caiaphas the titular, high priest. He belonged to the Sadducean aristocracy, and, like others of that class, he seems to have been arrogant, astute, ambitious and enormously wealthy. He and his family were proverbial for their rapacity and greed.

The chief source of their wealth seems to have been the sale of requisites for the temple sacrifices, such as sheep, doves, wine and oil, which they carried on in the four famous "booths of the sons of Annas" on the Mount of Olives, with a branch within the precincts of the temple itself. During the great feasts, they were able to extort high monopoly prices for theft goods. Hence, our Lord's strong denunciation of those who made the house of prayer "a den of robbers" (Mark 11:15-19), and the curse in the Talmud, "Woe to the family of Annas! Woe to the serpent-like hisses" (Pes 57a). As to the part he played in the trial and death of our Lord, although he does not figure very prominently in the gospel narratives, he seems to have been mainly responsible for the course of events. Renan's emphatic statement is substantially correct, "Annas was the principal actor in the terrible drama, and far more than Caiaphas, far more than Pilate, ought to bear the weight of the maledictions of mankind" (Life of Jesus). Caiaphas, indeed, as actual high priest, was the nominal head of the Sanhedrin which condemned Jesus, but the aged Annas was the ruling spirit. According to John 18:12, 13, it was to him that the officers who arrested Jesus led Him first. "The reason given for that proceeding ("for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas") lays open alike the character of the man and the character of the trial" (Westcott, in the place cited). Annas (if he is the high priest of John 18:19-23, as seems most likely) questioned Him concerning His disciples and teaching. This trial is not mentioned by the synoptists, probably because it was merely informal and preliminary and of a private nature, meant to gather material for the subsequent trial. Failing to elicit anything to his purpose from Jesus, "Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest" (John 18:24 the King James Version is incorrect and misleading) for formal trial before the Sanhedrin, "but as one already stamped with a sign of condemnation" (Westcott). Doubtless Annas was present at the subsequent proceedings, but no further mention is made of him in New Testament, except that he was present at the meeting of the Sanhedrin after Pentecost when Peter and John defended themselves for preaching the gospel of the resurrection (Acts 4:6).

(2) Head of a family who returned with Ezra (1 Esdras 9:32), called "Harim" in Ezra 10:31.

D. Miall Edwards

452. Hannas -- Annas, a high priest
... Annas, a high priest. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Hannas Phonetic
Spelling: (an'-nas) Short Definition: Annas Definition: Annas, high ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/452.htm - 6k

Whom to Obey, --Annas or Angel?
... WHOM TO OBEY,"ANNAS OR ANGEL? ... Annas and Caiaphas thought that they had
scored a success, but an angel upset their calculations. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/whom to obeyannas or angel.htm

Jesus Before Annas.
... CHAPTER VI. Jesus before Annas. It was towards midnight when Jesus reached
the palace of Annas, and his guards immediately conducted ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter vi jesus before annas.htm

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 75 Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas. [This
chapter is based on Matt.26:57-75; 27:1; Mark 14:53-72 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 75 before annas and.htm

Night-Examination Before Annas.
... CHAPTER VI. THE TRIAL AND CONDEMNATION. Section 282. Night-Examination before Annas. ...
[770] Annas began with questions about his followers and his doctrine. ...
/.../section 282 night-examination before annas.htm

And Again the Son of Annas, a Priest of the Temple...
... Chapter 28. And again the son of Annas, a priest of the temple? And again
the son of Annas, a priest of the temple, who had come ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 28 and again the.htm

Annas and Caiaphas, Summas and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi...
... Part I."The Acts of Pilate. Latin Form. Chapter 1. Annas and Caiaphas, Summas
and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi? Annas and Caiaphas ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 annas and caiaphas.htm

Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus.
... Book V. THE CROSS AND THE CROWN. CHAPTER XIII. THURSDAY NIGHT - BEFORE ANNAS
AND CAIAPHAS - PETER AND JESUS. (John 18:12-14; Matthew ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii thursday night -.htm

First Stage of Jewish Trial. Examination by Annas.
... CXXV. First Stage of Jewish Trial. Examination by Annas. ... [We should note that John
calls Annas high priest. The high priesthood was a life office. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxv first stage of jewish.htm

And Joseph Rose up and Said to Annas and Caiaphas...
... Part II."Christ's Descent into Hell. Latin. First Version. Chapter 1
(17). And Joseph rose up and said to Annas and Caiaphas? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 17 and joseph.htm

Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and ...
... Part I."The Acts of Pilate. First Greek Form. Chapter 1. Having called a council,
the high priests and scribes Annas and Caiaphas and Semes and? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 having called a.htm

Annas (4 Occurrences)
... In AD 25 Caiaphas, who had married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13), was raised
to that office, and probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrim ...
/a/annas.htm - 13k

Caiaphas (9 Occurrences)
... His wife was the daughter of Annas, who had formerly been high priest, and
was probably the vicar or deputy (Hebrews sagan) of Caiaphas. ...
/c/caiaphas.htm - 14k

Ca'iaphas (9 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Luke 3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God
came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. (See RSV). ...
/c/ca'iaphas.htm - 8k

Sadducees (14 Occurrences)
... The Sadducees gained complete ascendancy in the Sanhedrin, and later, under the
leadership of Annas, or as he is sometimes called by Josephus, Ananus, the high ...
/s/sadducees.htm - 31k

Arrest (22 Occurrences)
... Of the matters considered in this article, the arrest of Jesus and the proceedings
before Annas, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin took place professedly under Jewish ...
/a/arrest.htm - 45k

Trial (45 Occurrences)
... Of the matters considered in this article, the arrest of Jesus and the proceedings
before Annas, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin took place professedly under Jewish ...
/t/trial.htm - 52k

Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... Alexander. Man-defender. (1.) A relative of Annas the high priest, present when
Peter and John were examined before the Sanhedrim (Acts 4:6). ...
/a/alexander.htm - 32k

Annals (41 Occurrences)

/a/annals.htm - 18k

Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)
... Luke 3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came
to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. (See RSV). ...
/z/zechari'ah.htm - 20k

Kindred (41 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as
many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at ...
/k/kindred.htm - 21k

Who was Annas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the account of Annas and Caiaphas? | GotQuestions.org

What is truth? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus