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Smith's Bible Dictionary - Annas
Annas
(humble ), the son of one Seth was appointed high priest A.D. 7 by Quirinus,
the imperial governor of Syria, but was obliged by Valerius Gratus, procurator
of Judea, to give way to Ismael, son of Phabi, at the beginning of the reign of
Tiberius, A.D. 14. About A.D. 25 Joseph Caiaphas, son-in-law of An-nas, became
high priest, (John 18:13) but in Luke 3:2 Annas and Caiaphas are both called
high priests. Our Lord’s first hearing, (John 18:13) was before Annas, who then sent him bound to
Caiaphas. Some maintain that the two, Annas and Caiaphas, were together at the
head of the Jewish people,--Caiaphas as actual high priest, Annas as resident of
the Sanhedrin- (Acts 4:6) Others again suppose that Annas held the office of
sagin , or substitute of the high priest; others still that Annas held the title
and was really the ruling power. He lived to old age, having had five sons high
priests.
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Bibliography Information
Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Annas'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". 1901.
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