Category:Jonathan ben Ananus (subject)

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Jonathan ben Ananus, of th House of Annas, was the Jewish High Priest, 36-37 CE, under Roman Governor Marcellus and Emperor Tiberius, and 44 CE, under King Herod Agrippa I and Emperor Claudius.

Overview

Jonathan was one of the five sons of Annas to take the office of High Priest. In 36 CE the Roman Governor of Syria, Vitellius, removed the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, who was accused of misconduct, and sent him back to Rome. Vitellius appointed his friend Marcellus to take care of affairs in Judea. He also deposed the powerful High Priest Caiaphas and replaced him with his brother-in-law Jonathan. One year later, while visiting Jerusalem, Vitellius replaced Jonathan with his brother Theophilus.

Jonathan was High Priest again in 44 CE, briefly, under King Herod Agrippa I and Emperor Claudius. He succeeded Elionaeus ben Cantheras, but the sudden death of the Herodian King put an end to his tenure, as Herod of Chalcis appointed Joseph ben Camei to serve under the new Roman Governor Fadus.