Annas (alsoAnanus[1] orAnanias;[2]Hebrew:חָנָן,Ḥānān;Koinē Greek:Ἅννας,Hánnas; 23/22 BC – death date unknown,[3] probably around AD 40) was appointed by the Roman legateQuirinius as the firstHigh Priest of the newly formed Roman province ofJudaea in AD 6 – just after the Romans had deposedArchelaus, Ethnarch ofJudaea, thereby putting Judaea directly under Roman rule.
Annas appears in theGospels andPassion plays as a high priest before whomJesus is brought for judgment, prior to being brought beforePontius Pilate.
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The terms of Annas,Caiaphas, and the five brothers are:
Annas served officially as High Priest for ten years (AD 6–15), when at the age of 36 he was deposed by the procuratorValerius Gratus. Yet while having been officially removed from office, he remained as one of the nation's most influential political and social individuals, aided greatly by the fact that his five sons and his son-in-lawCaiaphas all served at sometime as High Priests.[4] His death is unrecorded. His son Annas the Younger, also known asAnanus the son of Ananus, was assassinated in AD 66 for advocating peace with Rome.[2]
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|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel c.6—15 | Succeeded by |
AfterValerius Gratus deposedIshmael ben Fabus from the high priesthood, he installed Eleazar ben Ananus, (15—16),[5][6] a descendant ofJohn Hyrcanus. It was a time of turbulence in Jewish politics, with the role of the high priesthood being contended for by several priestly families. Eleazar was likewise deposed by Gratus, who gave the office toSimon ben Camithus (17-18).
| Jewish titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel 16-17 | Succeeded by |
Caiaphas was married to the daughter of Annas (John 18:13). Gratus made him high priest after depriving Simon ben Camithus of the office.[5] The comparatively long eighteen-year tenure of Caiaphas suggests he had established a good working relationship with the Roman authorities. Gratus' successorPontius Pilate retained him as high priest.[7]
| Jewish titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel 18-36 | Succeeded by |
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| Jewish titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel 36—37 | Succeeded by |
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| Jewish titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel 36—37 | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel 43 | Succeeded by |
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| Jewish titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel 44 | Succeeded by |
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References in theMosaic Law to "the death of the high priest" (Numbers 35:25, 28) suggest that the high-priesthood was ordinarily held for life.[citation needed] Annas was still called "high priest" even after his dismissal, along withCaiaphas (Luke 3:2),[non-primary source needed] perhaps for that reason.[verification needed][citation needed] It is also thought[according to whom?] that Annas also may have been acting as president of theSanhedrin, or a coadjutor of the high priest.[verification needed][citation needed]
| Jewish titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | High Priest of Israel 63 | Succeeded by |
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Although Caiaphas was the properly appointed high priest, Annas, being his father-in-law and a former incumbent of the office, he possibly retained some of the power attached to the position.[8] According to theGospel of John (the event is not mentioned in other accounts),Jesus was first brought before Annas, whose palace was closer.[9] Annas questioned him regarding his disciples and teaching, and then sent him on to Caiaphas, where some members of the Sanhedrin had met, and where in Matthew's account thefirst trial of Jesus took place (Matthew 26:57–68).
AfterPentecost, Annas presided over the Sanhedrin before which theApostlesPeter andJohn were brought (Acts 4:6).
Annas has an important role inJesus Christ Superstar, as one of the two main antagonists of the show (the other beingCaiaphas) spurringPontius Pilate to take action against Jesus. In almost all versions, Annas has a high voice to contrast against Caiaphas'bass. Despite being Caiaphas' father-in-law, Annas is generally played by a younger actor.
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Easton, Matthew George (1897). "Annas".Easton's Bible Dictionary (New and revised ed.). T. Nelson and Sons.
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