Acts 4:6

Annas. This man (called Ananus by Josephus), son of Seth, became high priest about A.D. 6 by appointment of the Roman governor Quirinius (Cyrenius), and was deposed about A.D. 14 (Josephus Antiquities xviii. 2. 1,2). Christ had been brought first before Annas (John 18:13), and was afterward sent by him to the current high priest, Caiaphas. This would indicate that although then not actually high priest, Annas held a place of high influence among the Jews. This is particularly understandable in view of the fact that Caiaphas was Anna’s son-in-law. It is probably impossible now to ascertain exactly the functions of the two men Annas and Caiaphas. Apparently it was customary for those who once had held the office of high priest to continue to carry the title after they had ceased to officiate. By the time of Annas’ death five of his sons had been high priests (ibid. xx. 9. f). But his old age was clouded by the atrocities committed in the Temple by insurgents during the war of A.D. 66-73 (see Josephus War iv. 3. 78 [151–157]).

Caiaphas. Caiaphas had been appointed about A.D. 18 or 19, and was deposed about A.D. 36. He is pictured in the Gospels as a man of policy and expediency (John 18:14. See above under “Annas.”)

John. This may have been Johanan (that is, John) ben Zakkai, a Jewish leader who is said to have been at the height of his influence 40 years before the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70. After the Jewish-Roman war he was founder and president of the Council at Jamnia (see Vol. V, p. 78). However, the identification is very uncertain. Another possibility, suggested by one ancient manuscript that reads “Jonathan,” is that this man was Annas’ son Jonathan, who became high priest for a short time after Caiaphas, and again in the days of Felix (c. A.D. 52-c. 60).

Alexander. No certain identification of this man is possible.

Kindred of the high priest. The Talmud (Pesahim 57a, Soncino ed., p. 285) mentions several prominent families from which the high priests at this time were commonly drawn. The current high priest, Caiaphas, had several relatives who were highly placed (see above under “Annas”), and probably several of these men were present at the trial of Peter and John recorded here. See on Matt. 2:4.

Were gathered. Evidently the meeting had been summoned, like that of Matt. 26:3, 4, to study what course should be followed in view of the new crisis. This meeting would of course include Pharisees as well as Sadducees, but the Sadducees controlled the Sanhedrin at this time.