Section III – The Lord Reigns Through His Passion (John 18-21)
Lecture 4, THE LORD AND THE HIGH PRIEST WHO CONDEMNED HIM
Scripture Text John 18:12-14
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
John 19:19-24
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
Supplemental Text
Matthew 26:59-68 (See also Mark 14:53-65)
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him: and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 2
A. The Historical Setting
1. Annas, the Father in Law of Caiphas
While Annas was not the high priest when Jesus was taken, he had been the high priest (from 7 AD to 15 AD) and, in addition to his son-in-law, had five sons who succeeded him (ISBE, p. 137). Therefore, he was very powerful and in all probability was the driving force behind the Sanhedrin. As D. M. Evans says, while Caiphas was “the nominal head of the Sanhedrin which condemned Jesus, the aged Annas was the ruling spirit” (Ibid.).
2. Caiaphas, the High Priest
Caiaphas is clearly identified as the high priest at the time of the death of Christ (Mt. 26:57; Jn. 18:13). Luke also says that he was the high priest during the ministry of John the Baptist (Lk. 3:2) and was present when Peter and John were called before the Sanhedrin after the outpouring of Pentecost (Acts 4:6).
3. The Sequence of Events
The exact sequence of Jesus’ appearances before Annas and Caiaphas is not real clear. However, it seems that after the Lord’s arrest in the garden the soldiers went by the house of Annas on their way to see Caiaphas. While some scholars feel that the inquiry in John actually took place before Annas, this dialogue, which is quite different from the one in the Synoptics, probably was a preliminary questioning by Caiaphas.
B. The High Priest in the Old Testament
It is not possible to understand the full significance of the events which transpired here without at least a cursory understanding of the significant role of the high priest in the lives of the people of God as set forth in the Old Testament Scriptures.
1. The High Priest and the Day of Atonement
a. The Offering of the Two Goats
The most meaningful work of the high priest was that which took place on the Day of Atonement. Two actions are especially noteworthy. First, the high priest made an atonement for sins by bringing forth two goats. One was offered as a sin offering for the people and the other was led away as a scapegoat with the sins of the people having been placed upon it’s back. And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord’s lot fell, and offer him for a sin-offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness …And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their 3 transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited; and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness (Leviticus 16:7-10; 21-22).
b. The Atonement in the Holy of Holies
The second important action of the high priest on the Day of Atonement was his going into the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter that inner most sanctum and then only on that one day of the year. At that time, the high priest would make an atonement for the sins of the people. For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall affect your souls, by a statute for ever. And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. And this shall be an everlasting state unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year (Leviticus 16:30-34).
2. The High Priestly Garments
Because of the importance of his priestly functions the high priest had to put on the high priestly garments before entering the tabernacle. “And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his own, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office” (Exodus 28:4).
a. The Ephod
The ephod, which was worn over the long robe, was made “of gold, of blue and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined lined with cunning work” (Ex. 28:6). A “curious girdle,” or beautiful sash also of gold, blue, purple, scarlet and fine twined linen, was worn with the ephod. It was joined together at the shoulders with two onyx stones, each of which was engraved with the names of six of the twelve tribes. “And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial …and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord” (Ex. 28:12).
b. The Breastplate
The “breastplate of Judgment” was a pouch approximately nine inches square and made of the same material as the ephod and girdle. It was held by two golden chains which were attached to the ephod on the shoulder pieces but hung down just over the heart of the high priest. It contained twelve precious stones, each one engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. “And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, 4 for a memorial before the Lord continually” (Exodus 28:29). Placed inside the “breastplate of judgment” were the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30) which were used at times in order to help determine the will of God (Numbers 27:21 etc.)
c. The Robe of the Ephod
The robe of the ephod “seems to have been a sleeveless tunic, made of blue, fringed with alternate bells and pomegranates” (ISBE, P. 2442). “And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not” (Exodus 28:35).
d. The Headdress
The “mitre,” or headpiece, was adorned with a golden plate that was especially significant.
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord (Exodus 28:36-38).
3. Summary of the Old Testament High Priest
When the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement he was careful to sanctify himself, the people, and the sanctuary. Having offered the appropriate sacrifices he carefully washed at the laver, trimmed the candlestick, set the shewbread, offered the incense and then entered to meet with God. When he stood before God at the Ark of the Covenant he bore on his shoulders and his heart the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, ready to intercede on their behalf.
C. Jesus Before the High Priest
We have just seen a brief summary of the Old Testament description of what the office of the high priest was supposed to represent to the people of Israel. Now we come to the historical reality of what corruption does to the holiest of offices when man fails to consecrate himself before God. John records three significant items for our consideration.
1. The High Priest's Prophecy
(John 18:14) John says of Caiaphas that he was the one who “gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.” Notice the description of that meeting given in John 11:47-53. 5
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. This was the man that dressed himself in priestly attire in order to intercede on behalf of the people. This was the man that wore the inscription on his headdress, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” This was the man that wore the names of the children of Israel on his breastplate and carried their names engraved on the onyx stones on his shoulders. This was the man that chose the two goats to make an atonement for the sins of the people and entered into the Holy of Holies each year in order to pray to God on their behalf.
But now he is the man that is willing to sacrifice the life of an innocent man because “this man doeth many miracles” and “if we let him thus alone, all men will believe” and the Romans will “come and take away our place.” Oh how devilish are the ways of man when he fails to seek God! A man can dress in the most beautiful of holy garments and yet be clothed with the filth of hatred. A man can fulfill all the religious rituals that were ordained by God Himself and yet destroy the very temple where God said, “And there I will meet with my people.” Furthermore, this was the man chosen by God, because of his priestly office, to proclaim a prophetic message of salvation, “that one man should die for the people.” However, instead of Christ becoming the chief corner stone in his life, to Caiaphas Jesus became a stone of stumbling. With a heart full of murderous intent the earthly high priest began to question the High Priest of both Heaven and earth.
2. The High Priest's Interrogation of Christ
John does not give the specific questions that both Matthew and Mark record. For his purpose it is sufficient to say that he “asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.” Jesus replied that He had spoken plainly and openly to the multitudes in the temple, the synagogue and in other popular gathering places and did not have a message just for a few select people in secret. This did not mean that Jesus did not teach small groups – we know that He did. However, His message to them was the same message as to the multitudes.
There are some people today that would like for us to think that God has given to them some secret revelation. That’s like those television commercials that claim that Jesus came to America and gave a special revelation to the founder of the Mormon religion. So some today claim that God has told them this, or God has told them that. However, you can rest assured that God has no secret message. He proclaims the same truth from the pulpits of the churches from the north, south, east and west. 6 Oh yes, there are men and women like Caiaphas that are more interested in his disciples and his doctrine than they are in knowing about the Lord. There can be almost any message from such hearts. But it’s not from God unless it’s the same message that Jesus Himself proclaimed in public and still burns into the hearts of those who seek to know Him through His Spirit and Word.
3. The Lord's Interrogation of the High Priest
The Lord now questions Caiaphas. “Why askest thou me? Ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.” Jesus is not being a “smart aleck.” Neither is He being disrespectful. This was a judicial trial. It was the responsibility of the high priest to produce at least two witnesses to substantiate the accusation. The accused certainly did not have to incriminate himself. So also today the Lord turns the question on those who ask about His disciples and His doctrine. “Why ask me? Ask those which heard me!” Ask the man born blind from birth whose eyes were opened what He teaches. Ask Lazarus who was raised from the dead what doctrine He teaches. Ask the alcoholic who found a better drink; ask the prostitute who found a true friend; ask the bereaved who have been comforted through the valley of the shadow of death; ask the wretched sinner whose sins have been forgiven – go ahead, ask those who have heard, and the answer will always be the same. “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see (John 9:25).
Some have suggested that when Jesus said, “Ask them which heard me,” that He pointed to some of those standing by. We don’t know that, but it certainly is reasonable that many of those in the crowd had heard Him speak during the past three and a half years. But not one witness was able to bring a charge against the Lord who had spoken openly among them and even the false witnesses could not agree.
4. The High Priest's Servants Smites the Lord
After the Lord instructed the high priest to produce the witnesses, “One of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?” The word translated “officer” is HUPERETES (#5257) and means “a servant; in the N.T. of the officers and attendants of magistrates” (Thayer, p. 641). So it was one of the servants of the high priest, and not a Roman officer, who struck Christ. Even though the KJV says he “struck with the palm of his hand,” the literal phrase is, “he gave a blow” (EDOKEN HRAPISMA). While a HRAPISMA was a “slap with the hand” it seems to have been connected with the root word meaning a rod or stick (HRABDOS, #4464). Therefore, it would have been a very jarring blow like one with a stick, even though it was actually given with the hand. With the blow the servant reprimanded the Lord for speaking thus to the high priest.
5. The Lord Rebukes the Servant of the High Priest
The Lord simply spoke back to his smiter, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” Some have accused the Lord of not following his own dictum, “But whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). However, He does indeed turn the other cheek as His accusers continue to smite Him. 7 But that does not mean that it is wrong to speak forth a rebuke when it is warranted. The servant was so blinded by his worldly loyalty to the corrupt high priest that he violated the very standard which the high priest was charged to uphold. The Lord was in fact showing mercy to the servant by letting him know that such blind loyalty to an earthly tyrant is not right. Even though he be called the high priest, there is no wrong in speaking the truth even though it might seem to be an affront to the office.
Summary
So John gives us a vivid insight to the encounter between the Lord and the High Priest who accused Him. He does not feel that for his purpose it is necessary to give the details of the public proceedings. Instead, he focuses in on the personal dialogue that in all probability preceded the more open forum recorded by the Synoptics. But John’s purpose is that we “might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). And truly, if we can picture the scene we can surely believe He is the Christ.
Caiaphas had the name of high priest. On the Jewish Day of Atonement he was responsible for choosing the two goats. Upon one he was to place the sins of the whole nation and send it forth into a solitary place. The other he was to slay outside the camp and bring its blood into the Holy of Holies in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Before entering the sanctuary he adorned himself with the beautiful ephod and its curious girdle or sash; with the holy mitre and the golden plate that said, “HOLINESS TO THE LORD;” with the breastplate and the precious gems that had the names of Israel inscribed; and with the blue robe and the golden bells and pomegranates on its hem. But Caiaphas was afraid the Romans would come and take away his place. On the other hand, the Lord would not be defeated by a reprobate high priest. He became the lamb upon whose back the sins of the world were placed and carried them away to a solitary place. With His own blood He entered into the Holy of Holies in the Heavens, bearing the breastplate of judgment with our names inscribed on His own heart. As He now ever lives in order to make intercession for us, He conquers all enemies because His forehead glistens with “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.”
Section 3, The Lord Reigns Through His Passion, Lecture 4