Annas, his five sons, and his son-in-law
Caiaphas, were all appointed as High Priest at some time in their lives. The terms of the seven men were as follows;
Ananus (Annas), son of Seth (6–15) Annas served officially as High Priest for ten years (AD 6–15), and was then deposed by the procurator
Valerius Gratus. Yet while having been officially removed from office, he remained as one of the nation's most influential political and social individuals, aided greatly by the fact that his five sons and his son-in-law
Caiaphas all served at sometime as High Priests. His death is unrecorded. His son Annas the Younger, also known as
Ananus the son of Ananus, was assassinated in AD 66 for advocating peace with Rome. a descendant of
John Hyrcanus. It was a time of turbulence in Jewish politics, with the role of the high priesthood being contended for by several priestly families. Eleazar was likewise deposed by Gratus, who gave the office to
Simon ben Camithus (17-18). ===
Caiaphas (18–36)=== Caiaphas was married to the daughter of Annas (John 18:13). Gratus made him high priest after depriving Simon ben Camithus of the office. ===
Jonathan ben Ananus (36–37)=== Jonathan ben Ananus was the only family member to become High Priest twice. After his retirement he was murdered after publicly criticizing the Roman
procurator,
Antonius Felix. ===
Theophilus ben Ananus (37–41)=== Theophilus was the third of Annas' sons to become High Priest. ===
Matthias ben Ananus (43)=== ===
Jonathan ben Ananus (44)=== Jonathan was brought back as High Priest for a few months, until Josephus ben Camydus took on the post. ===
Ananus ben Ananus (63)=== Ananus II was responsible for the execution of
James the brother of Jesus. This was carried out without the permission of the new Roman consel
Lucceius Albinus, and Ananus II was removed from his post as punishment.
High Priest post References in the
Mosaic Law to "the death of the high priest" () suggest that the high-priesthood was ordinarily held for life. The post would then go to the High Priest's son. This tradition continued until the rule of the
Hasmoneans in 167 BC. According to (
Luke 3:2), Annas was still called "high priest" after his dismissal, perhaps in respect of the old tradition. Before 191 BC the High Priest acted as the
ex officio head of the Sanhedrin, However, this changed when the Sanhedrin lost confidence in the High Priest's ability to serve as its head. As such, it is unlikely that Annas was recognised as head of the Sanhedrin. ==In the New Testament==