ANNAS ăn’ əs (חַנָּה, H2839, חָנַנ֒, H2858; in 1 below, ̓́Αννας; Josephus has ̓́Ανανος; in 2 below ̓Ανάς). 1. A high priest of the Jews from a.d. 6 to a.d. 15, but as long as he lived he was the virtual head of the priestly party in Jerusalem. The son of Seth, he was appointed high priest by Quirinius, governor of Syria, and was deposed by Valerius Gratus. In the time of Christ high priests were appointed and deposed at the whim of the Rom. governors. Although removed from office, Annas’ power and influence were so great that five of his sons, as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas and his grandson Matthias, likewise became high priests. Years afterward he lost the high priesthood, but even then he was popularly considered as still in office and was called “high priest”; even after Pentecost his name appears first in the list of priestly leaders (Acts 4:6). In John 18:19, 22 the high priest is undoubtedly Annas, although in vv. 13 and 24 Caiaphas is mentioned as the high priest. Annas is referred to in connection with the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry, which took place “in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas” (Luke 3:2), as though father and son-in-law were joint holders of the office. It seems clear that due to his ability and force of character he was virtually high priest, although Caiaphas had the title. When Jesus was arrested, He was first brought before Annas (John 18:13). It was apparently Annas who questioned Him about His disciples and His teaching, and who gave orders to one of the officers standing by to strike Jesus with his hand (18:19-22). After the questioning, he sent Jesus “bound” to Caiaphas. He was undoubtedly the ruling spirit in the council that condemned Jesus, although nothing is said about his part in the proceedings that followed the preliminary questioning. He was present at the meeting of the Sanhedrin before which Peter and John defended themselves for preaching the Gospel of the Resurrection (Acts 4:6).

Bibliography Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, XVIII. ii. 1, 2; XX. ix. 1; E. Schürer, A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ (1896).