The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70 · External witness
Joseph Caiaphas
deposed AD 36, d. thereafter · High priest at the trial of Jesus · Jerusalem
External witness
Who Joseph Caiaphas was
High priest for eighteen years — the longest tenure of the century, held by careful partnership with Pilate — and president of the proceedings against Jesus, of whom John records the unintended prophecy: “it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people.” He reappears in Acts presiding over the arrests of Peter and John (“by what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”) and the flogging of the apostles. Deposed by Vitellius in 36, within months of Pilate’s recall. In 1990 a decorated ossuary inscribed “Joseph son of Caiaphas” was unearthed south of Jerusalem — bones of the era’s judge, boxed like any man’s.
Also listed in non-christian witnesses.
Common questions
When did Joseph Caiaphas live?
Joseph Caiaphas is dated deposed AD 36, d. thereafter in the archive, which places Joseph Caiaphas in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70).
Which early sources mention Joseph Caiaphas?
Joseph Caiaphas is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Flavius Josephus, John and The Pilate cycle. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Joseph Caiaphas from?
The archive associates Joseph Caiaphas with Jerusalem.
Who were Joseph Caiaphas’ contemporaries?
The archive links Joseph Caiaphas to 7 other figures, including Annas (Ananus I), Pontius Pilate, Simon Peter and Stephen the Protomartyr. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Antiquities of the Jews 18.4.3 (deposed by Vitellius)
c. AD 93Besides which, he also deprived Joseph, who was also called Caiaphas, of the high priesthood.Flavius Josephus · Antiquities 18.4.3 · source text
John 11:50
c. AD 95…it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.John · read ↗
Acts of Pilate I–IX (presiding with Annas)
c. AD 350Connected in the archive
People
- Annas (Ananus I)
- Pontius Pilate
- Simon Peter
- Stephen the Protomartyr
- Emperor Tiberius
- Barabbas
- Jesus of Nazareth
Events in this lifetime
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Joseph Caiaphas.