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John 18:12-24; Luke 22:54-62 "WHERE WOULD YOU SEND A PERSON AFTER HIS ARREST?"

Day 301 – Luke 22

Text: John 18:12-24; Luke 22:54-62

WHERE WOULD YOU SEND A PERSON AFTER HIS ARREST?

The enemies of Jesus, namely the religious leaders, had obtained help from the Romans to arrest Jesus. They had come well armed to arrest One they feared would violently resist arrest. They were wrong on that count.

After the arrest of Jesus, a strange thing took place. The detachment of soldiers brought Him to see Annas. This was recorded in John’s Gospel. John writes briefly concerning this incident.

“Then the detachment of troops
and the captain and the officers of the Jews
arrested Jesus and bound Him.
And they led Him away to Annas first,
For he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas
Who was high priest that year.”
John 18:12-13

John was the only one who made a note about Jesus being brought before Annas. Was it “normal” to send a prisoner to see the father-in-law of the High Priest? Probably not, unless that father-in-law was Annas.

THE PONTIFICATE OF ANNAS

Alfred Edersheim had an interesting comment concerning Annas. He wrote,

“No figure is better known in contemporary Jewish history
than that of Annas; no person deemed more fortunate
or successful, but none also more generally execrated (cursed)…”
(Edersheim, A. The Life and Times of
Jesus the Messiah, pg. 851)

Edersheim also noted Annas’ role behind the scenes.

“He had held the Pontificate for only six or seven years;
but it (the office of the High Priest) was filled by not
fewer than five of his sons, by his son-in-law Caiaphas,
and by a grandson…
He enjoyed all the dignity of the office, and all its influence also,
Since he was able to promote to it those most closely
Connected with him.
And while they acted publicly, he really directed affairs,
Without either the responsibility or the restraints
Which the office imposed…”
(Edersheim, pg. 851)

Let us take time to trace the trials of Jesus carefully. The close study of the Lord’s Word would yield deep insight.

JESUS BEFORE ANNAS

If we were to follow John’s account (John 18:12-24), we would then see “the high priest” interrogating Jesus. Who was this “high priest”? The literary context of John 18 would indicate that Jesus was in the palace of Annas. The problem however would be to explain why John called him “the high priest”.

We have to disagree with Edersheim in his analysis at this point of time. He dismisses as insignificant the incident of Jesus being brought before Annas. A few things may be brought up to support the suggestion the idea that Annas did interview Jesus.

Let us carefully study this passage from John’s Gospel.

“The high priest then asked Jesus
about His disciples and His doctrine.”
John 18:19

Who was this “high priest” ? Edersheim argues that this must be a reference to Caiaphas. He was the High Priest for that year.

However, if this were the case, then we would not be able to easily understand the next statement in the same context.

“Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.”
John 18:24

If you were to study the passage carefully, it would be more logical to conclude that “the high priest” mentioned in John 18:19 was NOT Caiphas. There was an interview between Annas and Jesus and after that he sent Him bound to Caiphas.

Edersheim’s suggestion that this was “a more private interview between the High Priest and Christ” (Edersheim, pg. 852) does not sit well. Why would he want to have a private word with Jesus at all? He and the others had already decided that Jesus had to be put to death.

“Now it was Caiphas who advised the Jews that
it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”
John 18:14

How do we resolve this thorny issue? Let us try and reconstruct the scenario described in John’s Gospel. The chronological and logical explanation from John’s text would reveal the following:-

1. Jesus was arrested and brought to Annas. John 18:13

2. Annas interviewed Jesus. John 18:19-23

3. Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas after this interview. John 18:24

The problem would be to explain why Annas was called “the high priest”. Following Edersheim’s historical notation concerning the influence of Annas, John could well be recording both his personal and also the common understanding that the power behind the high priest Caiaphas was Annas. He was the High Priest once, and he had caused his own sons to obtain this office, and also his son-in-law. He may indeed be said, tongue-in-cheek, to be “the high priest” (John 18:19), without straining the meaning of the text at all.

The interview that was recorded in John 18:19-23 would appear to suit the suggestion that this took place in the home of Annas than Caiaphas.

Let’s read again what John wrote.

“The high priest then asked Jesus
about His disciples and His doctrine.”
John 18:19

If Caiphas had been “the high priest” he would not have needed to ask this question. He knew all about Jesus, His Disciples and His doctrines! In the other accounts of how Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin Council, Caiaphas was portrayed as one who raged against Jesus. He even invoked the name of God to elicit a response from Jesus (Matthew 26:62-63).

In this passage, Jesus actually spoke to “the high priest”. However, in the trial before the Sanhedrin Council, Jesus chose to keep silent (Matthew 26:62-63), and that infuriated Caiphas who presided over his trial.

Jesus’ answer to Annas displayed calm courage despite the fact that He was under arrest.

“I spoke openly to the world.
I always taught in synagogues
And in the Temple, where the Jews always meet,
And in secret I have said nothing.
Why do you ask Me?
Ask those who have heard Me
What I said to them.
Indeed they know what I said.”
John 18:20-21

This reply of Jesus would indicate that He was speaking to a person who was seeking to understand who Jesus was, and what doctrines He expounded. While Annas may have been influential, it does not follow that he knew everything there was to know in Jerusalem. Annas of course had some kind of general knowledge about Jesus. He wanted to have more information about Jesus. Hence he asked for information from Jesus about Himself, His Disciples and His doctrines (John 18:19).

THE FIRST BLOW

Jesus had answered correctly. If Annas wanted to find out more about Jesus, he would have no lack of information. His informants were legion.

An officer who stood by did not like the answer Jesus gave. John recorded how Jesus was “struck with the palm of his hand” (John 19:22).

Jesus replied,
“If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil;
but if well, why do you strike Me?”
John 19:23

Jesus had begun to drink deeply from the Cup His Father had given Him.