Annas
Annas - 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
Sanhedrin, 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 (Num. 3:10); and although
Annas had been deposed by the Roman procurator, the Jews may
still have regarded him as legally the high priest.
Jesus 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
Sanhedrin had met, and the first trial of
Jesus took place
(Matt. 26:57-68). This examination of our
Lord before Annas is
recorded only by
John. Annas was president of the
Sanhedrin
before which
Peter and
John were brought (Acts 4:6).
From Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)