Annas

Statue of Annas in Bom Jesus, Braga

Annas [also Ananus^[1] or Ananias^[2]], son of Seth (23/22 BC–66 AD), was appointed by the Roman legate Quirinius as the first High Priest of the newly formed Roman province of Iudaea in 6 AD; just after the Romans had deposed Archelaus, Ethnarch of Judaea, thereby putting Judaea directly under Roman rule.

Annas officially served as High Priest for ten years (6–15 AD), when at the age of 36 he was deposed by the procurator Gratus 'for imposing and executing capital sentences which had been forbidden by the imperial government.'^[3]. Yet while having been officially removed from office, he remained as one of the nations most influential political & social individuals, aided greatly by the use of his five sons and his son-in-law as puppet High Priests^[4] till his assassination in 66 AD for advocating peace with Rome.^[2]

Annas appears in the Gospels and Passion plays as a high priest before whom Jesus is brought for judgment, prior to being brought before Pontius Pilate.

The Sacridotal Family

• Annas ben Seth (6–15)

• Eleazar ben Ananus (16–17)

• Joseph ben Caiaphas (18–36), who had married the daughter of Annas (John 18:13)

• Jonathan ben Ananus (36–37 and 44)
• Theophilus ben Ananus (37–41)
• Matthias ben Ananus (43)
• Ananus ben Ananus (63)

References in the Mosaic Law to "the death of the high priest" (Num 35:25, 28) suggest that the high-priesthood was ordinarily held for life. Perhaps for this reason, Annas was still called "high priest" even after his dismissal, along with Caiaphas (Luke 3:2). He also may have been acting as president of the Sanhedrin, or a coadjutor of the high priest.

In the New Testament

According to the Gospel of John (the event is not mentioned in other accounts), Jesus was first brought before Ananus, and after a brief questioning of him (John 18:19-23) was sent to Caiaphas, where some members of the Sanhedrin had met, and the first trial of Jesus took place (Matt. 26:57-68).

After Pentecost, he presided over the Sanhedrin before which the Apostles Peter and John were brought (Acts 4:6).

Annas has an important role in Jesus Christ Superstar, spurring Caiaphas to take action against Jesus. In almost all versions, Annas has a very high voice (almost reaching falsetto) to contrast against Caiaphas' bass.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.

References

External links

• "Annas" in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia.
• Jewish Encyclopedia: Annas