CAIAPHAS, ka•ya-fas. A high priest of the Jews, appointed by the Roman procurator, Va lerius Gratus, in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, at the begineing of Christ's ministry. Ile was in office at the time of the trial Ind crucifixion of Jesus, but was removed by Viten US A.D. :37 (Josephus, xviii. 2, 2; 4, 3.) Ilk wife was the daughter of Annas, a former high priest (a.ta 7-141. The chief priests were at this time largely Snddueees, and it is to be noted that in the trial of Jesus and subsequent persecution of the Apostles they were more prominent than the Pharisees. In a general council summoned to take action upon the spread of the doctrines of Jesus. Caiaphas was decidedly in favor of putting him to death. using this language: "Ye know nothing at all; nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people. and that the whole nation perish not." (John xi. 50; John says he •prophekied,' verse 51; cf. xviii. 14.) Christ was arraigned in
the court of the high priest, and when the effort to convict him through the testimony of wit nesses who are designated by Matthew ( xxvi. 60) and Mark (xiv. 56-57) as false, failed, the pris oner was called as a witness and asked if he was indeed the Christ, Son of God. The answer being in the affirmative (Matt. xxvi. 64), the high priest pretended to be sorely grieved at what he considered blasphemy, and appealed to Christ's enemies to say if that was not enough. The answer was that Christ deserved death, and according to Matt. xxvii. 1, and John xviii. 28, the sentence was ratified at a formal meeting of the Sanhedrin ou the following morning. The high priest, however, did not have the power of final condemnation, which rested with the Roman authorities, to whom Jesus was accordingly handed over. Later Caiaphas persecuted the fol lowers of Jesus (Acts iv. 6, v. 17).