Category:Annas (subject)
Annas (Ananus or Ananias; 23/22 BCS - 66 AD) was the Jewish High Priest from 6 to 15 CE.
Overview
In 6 CE Annas (Ananus ben Seth) was the first high priest directly appointed by the Romans (specifically by the Roman legate Quirinius), after Herod Archelaus was removed from office and Judea was turned into a Roman province. Annas served almost ten years as High Priest, under all the governors appointed by Augustus--Coponius (6-9 CE), Marcus Ambivulus (9-12 CE), and Annus Rufus (12-15 CE). In 15 CE, he was deposed by the Roman Governor Gratus, appointed by the new Emperor Tiberius. However, Annas remained a highly influential religious and political figure as five of his sons, as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas and his grandson Matthias, held the office of High Priest. In the Gospel of John, Annas figures prominently in the Passion story of Jesus of Nazareth, as a sort of éminence grise controlling de facto the Jewish priesthood in the first century CE.
Annas in ancient sources
Josephus is the major source of information on Annas, who is mentioned also in Christian sources.
Josephus
"It is said that the elder Ananus was extremely fortunate. For he had five sons, all of whom, after he himself had previously enjoyed the office for a very long period, became high priests of God - a thing that had never happened to any other of our high priests." (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities XX, 9.1). See also Antiquities of the Jews, XVI11. ii. 1, 2.
Gospel of Luke
Luke 3:2 -- during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
Acts of Apostles
Acts 4:6 -- with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
Gospel of John
John 18:13 -- First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
John 18:24 -- Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Annas in Scholarship
Annas in Fiction
Related categories
External links
Select Bibliography (articles)
- Annas / Bruce Chilton / In: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 Freedman), dictionary, 1:257-258
This category currently contains no pages or media.