“13 First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.”
“19 Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When He had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest” John 18:13-14; 19-24.
While Luke also has a similar scene as John, where Jesus is brought early in the morning to Annas, Matthew and Mark mention a morning session of the Sanhedrin. If we combine all four accounts it looks something like this:
an official night inquiry by the high priest Annas where Jesus is abused and Peter denies Jesus three times;
a morning hearing with the Sanhedrin before Caiaphas with the decision to have Jesus executed by the Romans.
John gives only outlines of these events while the Synoptic writers give great detail. John has Jesus going to Annas, while the Synoptic writers has Jesus going to Caiaphas, the reigning high priest at that time. Annas may have been involved because he was the patriarch in a family of high priests whose son-in-law was Caiaphas. Annas’ questioning of Jesus is quite different from Caiaphas’ questioning of Jesus. Annas is concerned about Jesus’ teaching, because Jesus has never been formally trained, and about the disciples, because they may be planning a messianic uprising.
In the presence of Annas Jesus stresses the public aspects of His ministry, which was of little concern to Annas, and so Jesus is slapped in the face, spontaneously, by the police. John leaves out chronological details, as we have already seen, but includes them elsewhere, thematically at least.
In chapter 10, for example, Jesus says He is the Son of God and the authorities try to stone Him to death: Jesus said to His accusers: “36 Can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’” John 10:36?
Here they try to put Jesus to death because of what He is teaching.
Dear friends, many times in my life as a pastor I have listened to people I love tell me why they cannot possibly accept and believe that Jesus is who He says He is. They are like Annas, the high priest in our story today, who is concerned about Jesus’ teaching, because Jesus has never been formally trained. In other words, they get “locked in” on a particular point of view — or detail — about Jesus Christ, and they get stuck on it for their entire life. Annas was stuck on his own thought that Jesus couldn’t possibly have such wisdom and understanding because He was not formally educated. In other words, it made sense to Annas that Jesus was not who Jesus said he was. We sometimes maintain a position about who Jesus is because of what others have told us, or because of “something” we have heard or read on social media. Take time today and pray to the Lord that you will accept — without any doubt — that he is who He says he is. We have small physical brains that cannot understand everything about Jesus. But if you stay in the Scriptures, in the Word, you will c come to know who Jesus is because will come to you and love You with His presence and mercy. you will know without a doubt.
Oh dear Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner. I love You and know You and wish to follow You all the remaining days and hours of my life. Please fill me with Your merciful grace. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.
From the Bible:
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”
Romans 10:9.
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”
Acts 2:38.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me”
Revelation 3:20.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
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