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First
century road leading up to the area of Caiaphas' Palace.
Caiaphas
was a historical figure whose name is forever associated with the
crucifixion of Jesus. His full name was Joseph Caiaphus, something
that was attested to by first century historian Josephus and also by
the inscription on his burial ossuary.
Joseph, was a son-in-law of Annas (see John 18:13), who filled the
post of high priest circa 18-36 A.D., before being subsequently
deposed by a Roman official (specifically Vitellius, see Josephus,
Antiquities of the Jews 18.2.2; 18.4.3). Scriptures tell us that he
was already holding the office of high priest at the time of John the
Baptist's ministry (Luke 3:2).
John
11:47-53 [Following Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead...] Then the
chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
"What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this
man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like
this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and
take away both our place and our nation." 49 Then one of them,
named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You
know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you
that one man die for the people than that the whole nation
perish." 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest
that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation,
52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children
of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day
on they plotted to take his life. (NIV)
Matthew
26:3-4 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled
in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they
plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. (NIV)
Matthew
26:49-75 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings,
Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what
you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and
arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his
sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting
off his ear. 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus
said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put
at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then
would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this
way?" 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I
leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to
capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you
did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings
of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples
deserted him and fled. 57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to
Caiaphas , the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the
elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right
up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with
the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole
Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they
could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many
false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and
declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of
God and rebuild it in three days.'" 62 Then the high priest
stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What
is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I
charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the
Christ, the Son of God." 64 "Yes, it is as you say,"
Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will
see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and
coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore
his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need
any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What
do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others
slapped him 68 and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit
you?" 69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a
servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of
Galilee," she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. "I
don't know what you're talking about," he said. 71 Then he went
out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people
there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 He
denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!" 73
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said,
"Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you
away." 74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he
swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a
rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken:
"Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
And he went outside and wept bitterly. (NIV) [Also John 18:12-28]
A final
reference to Caiaphas, in Scriptures, is found in Acts 4:6; this
later instance in regards to persecution of the apostles following
Jesus' resurrection and ascension.
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Church
of Saint Peter in Gallicantu, over probable site of Caiaphas' palace
- 2005
Another
view of the church - 2009
The most
probable location of Caiaphus' Palace in Jerusalem is on the eastern
slope of Mount Zion, something reflected in the city model formerly
at the Holy Land Hotel. Excavation under the Church of Saint Peter in
Gallicantu (Roman Catholic, Assumptionist Order) has revealed ruins
which date to the Herodian period and up to 70 A.D. This location
was, at that time, within the walls of Jerusalem. Theodosius (5th
century A.D.) refers to the site as the Church of St. Peter, remains
of which have been found at this site (Byzantine). Unfortunately, no
absolute evidence (i.e. inscriptions) has been found that would
certify the site beyond all doubt. Josephus, without further
specifics, noted that the High Priest's residence was in the upper
city where the ruling class and wealthy lived. Some hold that this
aristocratic sector was only further north, yet that too is not
certain (perhaps in the Armenian property near the Zion Gate).
View
from near Caiaphas' Palace, looking towards the "field of
blood" (at lower left) and the valley of Hinnom.
Click
here or on photo above for a more
detailed panorama (use browser back button to return)
Caiaphas'
own ossuary and family tomb was found in the
field of blood area
This
official residence would have been an extensive complex, built by
Annas (who continued to maintain influence over the high priesthood,
arranging for several family members to become such). The complex
would have had a gate from the street, leading to a courtyard, which
would have been surrounded by several connected buildings including
residences for Annas and Caiaphas. It would not have been uncommon
for informal meetings of the Sanhedrin to take place at this
location, though this would not excuse the fact that such a trial was
taking place after dark.
Under the
Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu (meaning "cock-crowing"
in Latin), a dungeon type chamber, hewn out of bedrock, testifies to
the type of power the high priest wielded. A single entrance, or
portal, in the floor was the means by which a prisoner was confined
in the dark cells below.
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