King James Version

What Does John 18:13 Mean?

John 18:13 in the King James Version says “And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. year: y... — study this verse from John chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. year: year. And Annas sent Christ bound unto Caiaphas the high priest

John 18:13 · KJV


Context

11

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

12

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

13

And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. year: year. And Annas sent Christ bound unto Caiaphas the high priest

14

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

15

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"And led him away to Annas first" (καὶ ἤγαγον πρὸς Ἅνναν πρῶτον/kai ēgagon pros Hannan prōton)—the initial destination was Annas, not the current high priest Caiaphas. The adverb πρῶτον (prōton, "first") indicates a strategic preliminary hearing before the official trial. Ἄννας (Hannas) was the power behind the high priestly throne, having held the office himself (AD 6-15) and placing five sons and his son-in-law Caiaphas in the position. Though Rome had deposed him, Jews still recognized Annas as the legitimate high priest, since the office was supposed to be lifetime (Numbers 35:25).

"For he was father in law to Caiaphas" (ἦν γὰρ πενθερὸς τοῦ Καϊάφα/ēn gar pentheros tou Kaiapha)—John explains the family connection that made Annas the patriarch of a high priestly dynasty. Jesus's attack on the temple money changers (John 2:14-16) threatened Annas's economic empire—personal vengeance motivated this preliminary interrogation.

"Which was the high priest that same year" (ὃς ἦν ἀρχιερεὺς τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ἐκείνου/hos ēn archiereus tou eniautou ekeinou)—John's phrase "that year" emphasizes the providential timing. The ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus, "high priest") should have served for life, but Roman manipulation made it a political appointment. Caiaphas served AD 18-36, unusually long tenure suggesting effective collaboration with Rome. "That year" ironically highlights that the very year of Christ's sacrifice, God had positioned the exact high priest who would engineer it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The high priesthood had become thoroughly corrupted by Roman occupation and Herodian politics. Annas and his family controlled temple operations and amassed wealth through the temple tax, sacrificial animal sales, and money-changing fees. When Jesus cleansed the temple (John 2:13-17), He directly assaulted their economic interests, making them implacable enemies. Taking Jesus to Annas first was procedurally irregular but politically astute. Annas would conduct a preliminary hearing, gather information, and coordinate strategy before the official Sanhedrin trial under Caiaphas. The overnight interrogation violated Jewish legal procedure, which forbade capital trials at night.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the corruption of the high priesthood illustrate the danger of mixing religious authority with political power and wealth?
  2. What does bringing Jesus to Annas reveal about the personal and economic motivations behind His crucifixion?
  3. How did God's sovereignty work through the corrupt appointment of Caiaphas 'that same year' to accomplish redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
καὶ1 of 17

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπήγαγον2 of 17

away

G520

to take off (in various senses)

αὐτὸν3 of 17

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πρὸς4 of 17

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

Ἅνναν5 of 17

Annas

G452

annas (i.e., g0367), an israelite

πρῶτον·6 of 17

first

G4412

firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)

ἦν7 of 17

he was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

γὰρ8 of 17

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

πενθερὸς9 of 17

father in law

G3995

a wife's father

τοῦ10 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Καϊάφα11 of 17

to Caiaphas

G2533

the dell; caiaphas (i.e., cajepha), an israelite

ὃς12 of 17

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἦν13 of 17

he was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἀρχιερεὺς14 of 17

the high priest

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

τοῦ15 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐνιαυτοῦ16 of 17

year

G1763

a year

ἐκείνου·17 of 17

that same

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 18:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 18:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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