Caiaphas was a member of the Sadducean party and a son-in-Law of Annas, an earlier high priest. Though he presided over the Sanhedrin at the time of the Crucifixion, Annas was the power behind the throne. Caiaphas served as high priest during the ten years Pontius Pilate was the Roman Procurator of Judea, so he had the ability to be politically agile. 

​

In 36 A.D., both he and Pilate were relieved of their offices by the Syrian governor, Vitellius. Pilate was recalled to Rome and apparently Caiaphas was replaced as a favor to the Jewish people, uncomfortable with his relationship to Rome. In 1990, archaeologists discovered his family tomb in Abu Tor, south of Jerusalem.

​

Return to Preparation Years