Tag Archives: Annas

WHY ANNAS?

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WHY ANNAS?

“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.” John 18:12-14.

Why Annas? Who was Annas?

“Annas ben Seth was the most powerful and respected of the Jewish authorities of the time. He was appointed high priest by the Roman procurator, Quirinius, when Judea officially became a Roman province in AD 6 and held office until he was deposed by the Roman consul Gratus in 15 AD. He was head of a dynasty of five sons and a son-in-law, Caiaphas, through whom he still wielded power and influence although he was no longer officially high priest.

“Throughout John’s story, the world has been judged by the presence of Jesus and the world has in turn judged Him. The whole Gospel is a thus a description of a trial, a theme that reaches a climax as Jesus is brought before the authorities. As He is put on trial, we see revealed both His own identity as King and His confident trust in His Father.” http://www.biblegateway.com

Jesus was arrested by both Jewish and Roman authorities and brought to trial before representatives of Jew and Gentile. It was clear from the very beginning of this mockery of justice, that the real judge was not Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin or Pilate but Jesus, and the accused, the entire Jewish and Gentile worlds, which were on trial for their rejection of Jesus, the Son of God and the true representative of the Father.

Annas and Caiaphas, co-conspirators in the plot to rid God’s people of their Messiah! Annas, the power behind the throne, conducted an interrogation of Jesus. This was not a formal trial. There were no witnesses, no jury and no sentence. Rather, Annas was probably probing Jesus for legitimate reasons for sending Him to Caiaphas for a legal hearing. He was seeking to get Jesus to incriminate Himself.

“Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.” John 18:19.

Why Jesus’ disciples and His teaching? He questioned Jesus about His disciples because the Jewish authorities were concerned about Jesus’ popularity. Only a few days before, He had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey, raising a frenzy of excitement among the common people. They had hailed Him as their king, and probably saw Him, not as the Old Testament prophets had predicted, toas an atoning sacrifice for sin but rather as the deliverer from their oppressors.

This was dangerous because the Jewish religious leaders were in good standing with Rome. They did not want anyone or anything to disturb this relationship which was mutually beneficial. The high priests, from the time of Herod the Great, received their appointment from Rome and were expected to keep the Jewish populace in order. Many Jews resented their close relationship with Rome and some even suspected them of taking bribes or being involved in other forms of corruption.

Annas also questioned Jesus about His teaching because he was probably hoping that Jesus would incriminate Himself as a false prophet or a false teacher. Jesus had already completed His public teaching about Himself so He told Annas to check with those who heard Him because He had taught openly. The fact that Jesus had taught openly and that many people had heard Him would have increased Annas’ anxiety. The last thing he wanted to do was to gather evidence from the common people. Jesus was too popular to risk the people taking sides.

Was Jesus in a subtle way demanding a fair trial? There were plenty of people who could have borne witness to what He had taught and done, but the only ones who were called told a trumped-up story which did not agree anyway (Mark 14:56-59).

As powerful and influential a figure as Annas was, he must have realised that Jesus was a hot potato and decided to get rid of Him by passing Him on to Caiaphas. What would Caiaphas, this puppet of Rome, do with Him?

Acknowledgement

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Produce The Evidence

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PRODUCE THE EVIDENCE 

“Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. ‘I have spoken openly to the world,’ Jesus replied. ‘I always taught in the synagogues or the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.’

“When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped Him in the face. ‘Is this the way you answer the high priest?’ he demanded.

“‘If I said something wrong,’ Jesus replied, ‘testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?’ Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” John 18:19-24 NIV.

Annas and Jesus faced off in a pre-trial confrontation. Annas probed to find out Jesus’ hidden agenda; Jesus probed to find out whether the religious hierarchy had any intention of giving Him a fair trial. Annas tried to get Jesus to incriminate Himself. Jesus worked on Annas’ conscience to see whether he would allow the many witnesses to testify to the truth of His teaching. Annas was in league with the Jewish religious hierarchy to get rid of Jesus. Jesus wanted Annas to honour the truth.

As a rabbi, Jesus was familiar with the Torah. He understood how a fair trial was to be conducted. Would He be given His right to a fair trial as the accused, under the Jewish judicial system?

“One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Deuteronomy 19:15 NIV.

False testimony was banned. “The convicted false witness would suffer the punishment inflicted on the accused.” In criminal cases, both witnesses must have witnessed the whole event; “any person able to testify who has seen or learned of the matter who does not come forward to testify is liable for punishment.” (Levicus5:1) (1).

Why did the official slap Jesus in the face? Did Jesus say anything impolite or offensive to Annas?

“Since Jesus is still bound, there is no way for Him to defend Himself…This blow is more an insult than it was physically damaging. It highlights Jesus’ dignity and boldness as well as His respect for the truth, rather than for mere office holders. His reply to the servant stresses this issue of truth: “If I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” …In essence, Jesus’ question is a final act of grace extended toward a representative of His opponents. But Annas does not accept the offer to consider the truth of Jesus. Instead he sends Jesus, still bound, to Caiaphas.” (2)

1. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0021_0_21003.html

2.http://wwwbiblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/John/Jesus-Confronted-Peter-Annas

Throughout His public ministry Jesus was more concerned about the truth than He was about offending people, sometimes causing His disciples anxiety when He offended the religious leaders. Truth will be the criterion for the final judgment of the nations when the books are opened.

In spite of the grace Jesus extended to him. Annas was too preoccupied with the threat that Jesus posed to his position and that of his fellow religious leaders to realise what a precarious situation he had placed himself in. He chose to sell out truth for power and the lucrative benefits of his connection to Rome to consider his own future

What would we have done in a similar situation?

Why Annas?

Bible Study, , ,

WHY ANNAS?

“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.” John 18:12-14 NIV.

Why Annas? Who was Annas?

Annas ben Seth was the most powerful and respected of the Jewish authorities of the time. He was appointed high priest by the Roman procurator, Quirinius, when Judea officially became a Roman province in AD 6 and held office until he was deposed by the Roman consul Gratus in 15 AD. He was head of a dynasty of five sons and his son-in-law, Caiaphas through whom he still wielded power and influence although he was no longer officially high priest.

“Throughout John’s story, the world has been judged by the presence of Jesus and the world has in turn judged Him. The whole Gospel is a thus a description of a trial, a theme that reaches a climax as Jesus is brought before the authorities. As He is put on trial we see revealed both His own identity as King and His confident trust in His Father.” http://www.biblegateway.com

Jesus was arrested by both Jewish and Roman authorities and brought to trial before representatives of the Jewish and Gentile worlds. It was clear from the very beginning of this mockery of justice, that the real judge was not Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin or Pilate but Jesus, and the accused, the entire Jewish and  Gentile worlds, which were on trial for their rejection of Jesus, the Son of God and the true representative of the Father.

Annas and Caiaphas, co-conspirators in the plot to rid God’s people of their Messiah! Annas, the power behind the throne, conducted an interrogation of Jesus. This was not a formal trial. There were no witnesses, no jury and no sentence. Rather, Annas was probably probing Jesus for legitimate reasons for sending Him to Caiaphas for a legal hearing. He was seeking to get Jesus to incriminate Himself.

“Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.” John 18:19 NIV.

Why Jesus’ disciples and His teaching? He questioned Jesus about His disciples because the Jewish authorities were concerned about Jesus’ popularity. Only a few days before He had ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey, raising a frenzy of excitement among the common people. They had hailed Him as their king, and probably saw Him, not as the Old Testament prophets had predicted, as an atoning sacrifice for sin but rather as their deliverer from their oppressors.

This was dangerous because the Jewish religious leaders were in good standing with Rome. They did not want anyone or anything to disturb this relationship which was mutually beneficial. The high priests, from the time of Herod the Great received their appointment from Rome and were expected to keep the Jewish populace in order. Many Jews resented their close relationship with Rome and some even suspected them of taking bribes or being involved in other forms of corruption.

Annas also questioned Jesus about His teaching because he was probably hoping that He would incriminate Himself as a false prophet or a false teacher. Jesus had already completed His public teaching about Himself so He told Annas to check with those who heard Him because He had taught openly. The fact that Jesus had taught openly and that many people had heard Him would have increased Annas’ anxiety.

Was Jesus in a subtle way demanding a fair trial? There were plenty of people who could have borne witness to what He had taught and done, but the only ones who were called told a trumped-up story which did not agree anyway (Mark 14:56-59).

As powerful and influential a figure as Annas was, he must have realised that Jesus was a hot potato and decided to get rid of Him by passing Him on to Caiaphas. What would this puppet of Rome do with Him?