Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7378 high priest, in NT

7378 high priest, in NT

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7376 high priest » 7378 high priest, in NT

Under the Roman administration the high priest remained the senior Jewish leader, but his power was limited by Roman supervision.

High priests of the NT

Luke 3:2; Acts 23:2 Annas was high priest from A.D. 6 until deposed by the Roman official, Gratus, in A.D. 15. Though replaced by his son Eleazar and, in A.D. 18, by Caiaphas, his son-in-law, Annas retained his authority in Jewish eyes. Strictly, there could only be one high priest at a time. Ananias, the high priest of Ac 23:2, was not related to the family of Annas.

Grandeur of the high priest

John 18:10,15 The courtyard was within a palace; Acts 6:12; Acts 7:1 The high priest was president of the Sanhedrin.

The high priest's connections with Jesus Christ

Prophesying Jesus Christ's death

John 11:49-50 Words spoken by Caiaphas in a political sense were seen to be prophetic, pointing forward to the sacrificing role the high priest would play in the death of Jesus Christ. See also John 11:51-52

Presiding at Jesus Christ's trial

John 18:19-24 See also Matthew 26:57-59 pp Mark 14:53-55; Matthew 26:62-65 pp Mark 14:61-64; Luke 22:54; John 18:28 Caiaphas, the necessary go-between, brought Jesus Christ before Pilate.

The high priest's encounters with Peter and John

Acts 4:7 The teaching of Jesus Christ's resurrection was particularly abhorrent to the Sadducees, the priestly party to which Annas and Caiaphas belonged. See also Acts 5:17,21,29

The high priest's encounter with Stephen

Acts 7:1 Stephen was thought to have threatened the temple, the focus of high priestly power. See also Acts 7:57-59

Encounters of the high priests with Paul

Commissioning Paul to persecute Christians

Acts 9:1-2

Ordering that Paul be struck

Acts 23:3 See also John 18:21-23

Taking charges against Paul to the Roman governor

Acts 24:1 See also John 18:28

NT references to OT high priests

Abiathar

Mark 2:26

Melchizedek

Hebrews 5:6

Jesus Christ as high priest

Hebrews 4:14-16 See also Hebrews 8:1-2; Hebrews 9:14