Jesus Taken to Annas - John 18:13

The apostle John wrote how a, “band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, ...”, and in chapter eighteen and verse thirteen of his book John shared how they, “led him away to Annas first” where we read:

And led him away to Annas first;

for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

The verse reads, “And led him away to Annas first;” John began with the words, “and led him away” which means “and carried or brought Jesus apart from the garden” “to Annas first” or “to Annas who was the high priest appointed by Quirinius the governor of Syria c. 6 or 7 A.D in the first place”. John shared how the crowd of people who arrested Jesus took Him to the high priest named “Annas” before anyone else.

The verse continues, “for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.” John added the words, “for he was father in law” or “because, since and on account that he, Annas, was the wife's father” “to Caiaphas” which means “to Caiaphas who was the high priest of the Jews appointed to that office by Valerius Gratus, governor of Judaea, after removal of Simon, son of Camith, A.D. 18” whose name means as comely, “which was the high priest” or “who existed as the chief and principal priest” “that same year” which means “that selfsame year”. John shared how “Annas” was “Caiaphas'” “father in law” and was the actual “high priest” in that selfsame year.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we discover what the crowd did with Jesus after they arrested Him. They took Him to “Annas” who was the “father in law” of the ruling “high priest” whose name was “Caiaphas”. These government appointed “high priests” were in charge of keeping order among the Jewish people, and even though they were installed and removed by the “Roman government”, they were powerful agents within the Jewish community. Jesus allowed Himself to be “led” wherever these captors decided, and because He knew He was coming to the earth to be put to death for the penalty for sins, He went wherever they “led” Him. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who examine all Jesus did to bring about their “salvation” do best when they yield their lives to Him.

Next time we see John shares what, “Caiaphas” the high priest said, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".