Then Annas sent HimAnnas was a former high priest and a significant figure in the Jewish religious hierarchy. Although he was not the acting high priest at the time, he retained considerable influence, especially as the father-in-law of Caiaphas. This transfer of Jesus from Annas to Caiaphas highlights the procedural aspect of the Jewish trial system, where Annas likely conducted a preliminary examination before sending Jesus to the official high priest for a formal trial. This reflects the complex power dynamics within the Jewish leadership and the importance of Annas' role despite his lack of official title.
still bound
The binding of Jesus signifies His status as a prisoner and the severity with which the authorities viewed Him. This act of binding is symbolic of the rejection and humiliation Jesus faced, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant inIsaiah 53. It also prefigures the sacrificial nature of His mission, as He willingly submits to the authorities, foreshadowing His ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
to Caiaphas the high priest
Caiaphas was the acting high priest during this period, serving from AD 18 to 36. His role was both religious and political, as he was responsible for maintaining order and representing Jewish interests to the Roman authorities. Caiaphas' involvement in Jesus' trial underscores the tension between Jesus' teachings and the established religious order. This transfer to Caiaphas is significant as it sets the stage for the formal trial before the Sanhedrin, where Jesus would be condemned. Caiaphas' actions also fulfill the prophecy ofPsalm 2, where the rulers conspire against the Lord's Anointed.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AnnasA former high priest who held significant influence over Jewish religious affairs. Though not the acting high priest, he was a powerful figure and father-in-law to Caiaphas.
2.
CaiaphasThe high priest during the time of Jesus' trial. He played a crucial role in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion.
3.
JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, who is being tried and ultimately crucified. In this passage, He is bound and sent from Annas to Caiaphas.
4.
The High Priest's HouseThe location where Jesus was taken for questioning. It represents the religious authority of the time.
5.
The Event of Jesus' TrialThis passage is part of the larger account of Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion, highlighting the unjust treatment He received.
Teaching Points
The Influence of Religious AuthorityAnnas and Caiaphas represent the religious establishment that opposed Jesus. Reflect on how religious authority can sometimes be misused and the importance of aligning with God's truth.
The Injustice of Jesus' TrialJesus' trial was marked by injustice and false accusations. Consider how Jesus' response to injustice can guide us in facing our own trials with grace and truth.
The Fulfillment of ProphecyJesus' suffering and trial were foretold in the Scriptures. This passage reminds us of God's sovereign plan and the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus' life and death.
The Role of Courage in FaithDespite the power and influence of Annas and Caiaphas, Jesus remained steadfast. Reflect on the courage required to stand firm in faith amidst opposition.
The Importance of Witnessing TruthJesus' trial was filled with false witnesses. As believers, we are called to be witnesses of the truth, living lives that reflect Christ's teachings.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 18:24?
2.How does John 18:24 demonstrate the fulfillment of Jesus' prophetic words?
3.What can we learn about injustice from Jesus' treatment in John 18:24?
4.How does John 18:24 connect to Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah's suffering?
5.How should believers respond to unjust treatment, as seen in John 18:24?
6.What does John 18:24 teach us about maintaining faith during trials?
7.Why was Jesus sent to Caiaphas in John 18:24?
8.What does John 18:24 reveal about the Jewish legal process?
9.How does John 18:24 fit into the narrative of Jesus' trial?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 18?
11.What were the key events in Jesus' trials?
12.Who were the high priests during Jesus' ministry?
13.Doesn’t archaeology disprove parts of the Bible?
14.Who was Annas in the Bible?What Does John 18:24 Mean
ThenJohn links this moment directly to the informal hearing that has just taken place in the courtyard of Annas (John 18:19-23). The word “Then” grounds us in the unfolding timeline of the night Jesus was arrested:
• Earlier, a cohort and officers seized Jesus in Gethsemane (John 18:12).
• Annas questioned Him first, seeking grounds for a formal charge.
• Now, as dawn nears (cf.Luke 22:66), the narrative moves forward. God’s sovereign plan is progressing precisely, fulfilling Jesus’ own prediction that He would be handed over to the chief priests and elders (Matthew 20:18-19).
Annas sent HimAnnas, though no longer the official high priest, still wielded influence (Luke 3:2). After failing to trap Jesus with his questions, he transfers responsibility. This action highlights:
• The Sanhedrin’s coordinated effort—Annas opens the case, Caiaphas formalizes it (Matthew 26:57).
• Prophetic fulfillment—Psalm 118:22 foreshadows the religious leaders’ rejection of the “cornerstone.”
• Jesus’ innocence—no crime is discovered, yet He is passed along, demonstrating the injustice foretold (Isaiah 53:8).
still boundThe cords remain on Jesus’ wrists from His arrest (John 18:12). This detail underscores:
• Physical reality—Jesus is truly under arrest, not symbolically.
• Voluntary submission—He could summon “twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53) but chooses the path leading to the cross.
• Identification with sinners—He bears the bondage we deserved (Galatians 3:13).
The binding also signals to Caiaphas and the council that Roman cooperation is already secured, adding weight to the proceeding.
to Caiaphas the high priest.Caiaphas is the legally recognized high priest (John 18:13). By sending Jesus to him:
• The legal procedure advances toward the full council (Mark 14:53-55).
• Caiaphas’ earlier statement—“it is better for one man to die for the people” (John 11:49-50)—is set in motion.
• The transfer confirms prophecy that Messiah would suffer under both Jewish and Gentile authority (Acts 4:27-28).
Under Caiaphas, Jesus will face:
– False testimony (Matthew 26:59-60)
– The charge of blasphemy (Matthew 26:63-66)
– The decision to hand Him to Pilate (John 18:28)
summaryJohn 18:24 captures a pivotal hand-off in the passion narrative. Annas, unable to condemn Jesus, keeps Him “still bound” and forwards Him to Caiaphas, where the formal trial will occur. The verse testifies to Jesus’ willing submission, the religious leaders’ relentless opposition, and the flawless unfolding of God’s redemptive plan foretold in Scripture.
(24)
Now Annas had sent him bound. . . .--Better,
Annas therefore sent Him bound. . . . The reading is uncertain; some MSS. read "Therefore;
" some read "Now;" some omit the word altogether. On the whole, the evidence is in favour of "therefore." The tense is an aorist, and cannot properly have a pluperfect force. The rendering of the Authorised version is based upon the opinion that Jesus had before been sent to Caiaphas, and that all which followed from
John 18:13 (see margin there) had taken place after the close of the investigation before Annas. This view is certainly more probable than that the words "high priest" should be used of Annas and Caiaphas indiscriminately (comp. Note on
John 18:15), but both do violence to the ordinary meaning of language, and, if the interpretation which is adopted in these Notes is correct, neither is necessary.
Jesus was still "bound;" as He had been fromJohn 18:12.
Verse 24. - The
οϋν is quite in John's style, and the verse should read,
Annas therefore sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest;
i.e. to the full court of the Sanhedrin, under the presidency of Caiaphas, now got together for the judicial sifting and verdict. If John had intended a pluperfect sense to be given to the verb, why not use that tense? The relative clauses, where the aorist is used for the pluperfect, are not relevant here (Meyer). In other cases the context clearly reveals the occasion of such a sense (see
Matthew 16:5;
Matthew 26:48). John is not unaware of the momentous consequences of this act of Annas, seeing that he refers to them, nor of the fact of the accusation made by the false witnesses, nor of the judicial condemnation which followed Christ's own claim to be the Son of God. The subsequent narrative implies such condemnation (Vers. 29, 30, 35;
John 19:11). The author of this narrative does not ignore the fact of the appearance before Caiaphas, nor the issue; but in consequence of the wide diffusion of the synoptic Gospels, he merely called attention to the facts which they had omitted so far as they bore directly on the human character of the Lord. The theological bias with which the evangelist is credited by some would be strangely subserved both by the omission of the scene before Caiaphas, and by the faithful record of this purely human and beautiful trait in the personal character of Jesus. The fact that the fourth evangelist should have recorded facts of which he was eye-witness, and omitted others which would have forcibly sustained his main thesis, is an invincible evidence of historicity.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Thenοὖν(oun)Conjunction
Strong's 3767:Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.AnnasἍννας(Hannas)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 452:Annas, high priest at Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Annas, an Israelite.sentἈπέστειλεν(Apesteilen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 649:From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.Him,αὐτὸν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.[ still ] bound,δεδεμένον(dedemenon)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1210:To bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful. A primary verb; to bind.toπρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.CaiaphasΚαϊάφαν(Kaiaphan)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2533:Caiaphas, Jewish high priest. Of Chaldee origin; the dell; Caiaphas, an Israelite.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.high priest.ἀρχιερέα(archierea)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 749:High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.
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NT Gospels: John 18:24 Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas (Jhn Jo Jn) 
