lone-traveler
Emperor of the Universe
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 6365
Location: USA
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject: Caiaphas |
 |
|
Sadducees
followers of Sadoc, or Zadok
Sadducees
The origin of this Jewish sect cannot definitely be traced. It was probably the outcome of the influence of Grecian customs and philosophy during the period of Greek domination. The first time they are met with is in connection with John the Baptist's ministry. They came out to him when on the banks of the Jordan, and he said to them, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Mat_3:7.) The next time they are spoken of they are represented as coming to our Lord tempting him. He calls them “hypocrites” and “a wicked and adulterous generation” (Mat_16:1-4; Mat_22:23). The only reference to them in the Gospels of Mark (Mar_12:18-27) and Luke (Luk_20:27-38) is their attempting to ridicule the doctrine of the resurrection, which they denied, as they also denied the existence of angels. They are never mentioned in John's Gospel.
There were many Sadducees among the “elders” of the Sanhedrin. They seem, indeed, to have been as numerous as the Pharisees (Act_23:6). They showed their hatred of Jesus in taking part in his condemnation (Mat_16:21; Mat_26:1-3, Mat_26:59; Mar_8:31; Mar_15:1; Luk_9:22; Luk_22:66). They endeavoured to prohibit the apostles from preaching the resurrection of Christ (Act_2:24, Act_2:31, Act_2:32; Act_4:1, Act_4:2; Act_5:17, Act_5:24-28). They were the deists or skeptics of that age. They do not appear as a separate sect after the destruction of Jerusalem.
Caiaphas
The Jewish high priest (A.D. 27-36) at the beginning of our Lord's public ministry, in the reign of Tiberius (Luk_3:2), and also at the time of his condemnation and crucifixion (Mat_26:3, Mat_26:57; Joh_11:49; Joh_18:13, Joh_18:14). He held this office during the whole of Pilate's administration. His wife was the daughter of Annas, who had formerly been high priest, and was probably the vicar or deputy (Heb. sagan) of Caiaphas. He was of the sect of the Sadducees (Act_5:17), and was a member of the council when he gave his opinion that Jesus should be put to death “for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (Joh_11:50). In these words he unconsciously uttered a prophecy. “Like Saul, he was a prophet in spite of himself.” Caiaphas had no power to inflict the punishment of death, and therefore Jesus was sent to Pilate, the Roman governor, that he might duly pronounce the sentence against him (Mat_27:2; Joh_18:28). At a later period his hostility to the gospel is still manifest (Act_4:6). (See ANNAS.)
Annas
Was high priest A.D. 7-14. In A.D. 25 Caiaphas, who had married the daughter of Annas (Joh_18:13), was raised to that office, and probably Annas was now made president of the Sanhedrim, or deputy or coadjutor of the high priest, and thus was also called high priest along with Caiaphas (Luk_3:2). By the Mosaic law the high-priesthood was held for life (Num_3:10); and although Annas had been deposed by the Roman procurator, the Jews may still have regarded him as legally the high priest. Our Lord was first brought before Annas, and after a brief questioning of him (Joh_18:19-23) was sent to Caiaphas, when some members of the Sanhedrim had met, and the first trial of Jesus took place (Mat_26:57-68). This examination of our Lord before Annas is recorded only by John. Annas was president of the Sanhedrim before which Peter and John were brought (Act_4:6).
Pharisees
set apart
Pharisees
Separatists (Heb. persahin, from parash, “to separate”). They were probably the successors of the Assideans (i.e., the “pious”), a party that originated in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in revolt against his heathenizing policy. The first mention of them is in a description by Josephus of the three sects or schools into which the Jews were divided (145 B.C.). The other two sects were the Essenes and the Sadducees. In the time of our Lord they were the popular party (Joh_7:48). They were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the law of Moses (Mat_9:14; Mat_23:15; Luk_11:39; Luk_18:12). Paul, when brought before the council of Jerusalem, professed himself a Pharisee (Act_23:6-8; Act_26:4, Act_26:5).
There was much that was sound in their creed, yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more. Theirs was a very lax morality (Mat_5:20; Mat_15:4, Mat_15:8; Mat_23:3, Mat_23:14, Mat_23:23, Mat_23:25; Joh_8:7). On the first notice of them in the New Testament (Mat_3:7), they are ranked by our Lord with the Sadducees as a “generation of vipers.” They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Mat_9:11; Luk_7:39; Luk_18:11, Luk_18:12). They were frequently rebuked by our Lord (Mat_12:39; Mat_16:1-4).
From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. They could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people.
Caiaphas the High Priest was a Sadducee and not a believer in the resurrection. But he prophesied that one must die for the people.
Did he believe that if he raised up Jesus to be the messiah and then kill him, that he could prove to the Pharisees that there was no resurection, then the Pharisees would have to submit to the Sadducees thereby combing their "numbers" so they would not be overtaken by Rome?
If a house is divided against itself it will fall.
Joh 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
Joh 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Joh 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
Joh 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Joh 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Joh 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Joh 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
just thinking..
_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. |
|
FAQ 
Search 
Make a Donation 
Usergroups 
Contact
Register
Submit Articles 
Log in to check your private messages 
