Who Are These People?

Pilate

Although the Jews were in bondage to the Romans, it was Roman practice to allow their subjects to live their own cultures and religion. Rome didn’t make them stop being Jews—they just made them pay taxes. Caesar would appoint governors over his various lands to collect taxes and keep order and would send Roman military to enforce and keep order. Pilate was Caesar’s governor over Israel.

Although Pilate spent most of his time in the coast of Israel, he traveled to Jerusalem for important Jewish festivals such as Passover in order to keep order there. He was reported to be a cruel man and he disliked the Jews.

During this particular Passover, Jesus is being tried and arrested. The Jewish leaders wanted to put Christ to death, but according to Roman Law, they didn’t have the power to do this—only Pilate could determine such a verdict. The Jewish leaders had accused Jesus of BLASPHEMY because he said he was the Messiah—however Pilate, who believed in multiple Gods, wouldn’t have been bothered by this—so the Jews would change the charge to saying that Jesus called himself a King—which would charge him with TREASON against Caesar.

Caiaphas

Joseph Caiaphas was the official high priest of Jerusalem who sent Jesus to Pilate for his execution. There is only one High Priest and he carries many responsibilities, including controlling the Temple treasury, managing the Temple police and other personnel, performing religious rituals, and serving as president of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council and court that considered the case of Jesus. Caiaphas’ father-in-law is Annas—the former High Priest. Caiaphas is rumored to be Annas’ puppet.

Jesus became very popular when He raised Lazarus from the dead. This made Annas and Caiaphas jealous and nervous. They called a meeting of the Sanhedrin, which was the supreme Jewish ruling counsel to find a way to eliminate Jesus.

Annas

The Jews recongnized but one high priest, who held his office for life, but Annas was removed from the office by the Roman governor, Pilate, and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, appointed in his place . Hence, both were called high priests at the same time.

This ex-high priest was known to manipulate the ruling High Priest. The power behind the throne. History describes him as a man who was hated by the common people and possessed with an unscrupulous lust for power. Annas was determined to destroy Christ because of His assault on the market in the court of the Temple. Much wealth flowed into his hands from that polluted activity. Jesus’ popularity threatened his power and wealth.

The Sanhedrin

This is the Jewish Supreme Court—the Senate and the highest Jewish court in both civil and religious matters. Its President was the High Priest—Caiaphas (ad formerly Annas). They regulated the affairs over the Jewish nation and was the only group who had the power to put the king to trial. They were very powerful.

Herod Agrippa, King of the Jews

The Romans allowed a Jewish king over Israel in the form of Herod Agrippa. He was anxious to be referred to as a righteous Jew, but has a long history of wicked acts. When the Sanhedrin took Jesus to Pilate, Pilate quickly sent Jesus to Herod, hoping that Herod would take care of the problem.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.

The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this day they had been enemies.

This is the second time a man of God stood before Herod. Three years before this, Herod had a big birthday party. In the heat of lust and wine, when his niece finished dancing in front of him he promised her anything she wanted. Her wicked mother told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. John had fearlessly stood before Herod and Herodias and condemned their fornication. People in power do not like to be confronted with their sin.