Luke 3:2

Annas was appointed high priest by Quirinius around A.D. 6 or 7 and deposed around A.D. 14 or 15. He had five sons who became high priests, as did his son-in-law Caiaphas. Though deposed, Annas was still considered legitimate by many during Jesus’ ministry.

Caiaphas, son-in-law of Annas, was appointed high priest around A.D. 18 or 19 and served until about A.D. 36. He was a Sadducee, proud and cruel but weak and vacillating.

High priests were often appointed and deposed rapidly under Herodian and Roman rule, with 28 holding office from 37 B.C. to A.D. 70, averaging about four years each.

John the Baptist, son of Zacharias, began his ministry around the Passover of A.D. 27. The “word of God” came to him in the wilderness, where he spent much of his youth, but he preached and baptized mainly in Peraea, opposite Jericho.