First Jewish Trial: Annas

Who is Annas?

• Annas has a dark history
• He was High Priest from 6AD to 15AD
• He had a good relationship with the government and gave them whatever they wanted
• Talmud
  • "Woe to the house of Annas! Woe to their serpent's hiss! They are High Priests; their sons are keepers of the treasury; their sons-in-law are guardians of the Temple; and their servants beat the people with staves." (Pesachim 57a)
• He established the buying and selling in the Temple 
  • Pilgrims coming to offer sacrifices in Jerusalem needed animals
  • He opened four shops where they sell the sacrifices (sheep, bulls, pigeons, etc.) outside of Jerusalem, at the Mount of Olives
  • Booths of the Sons of Annas
    • This story seems to have originated in the 1800s in a book that references "Rabbinic History" but its references don't include that language... needs more research/backing
  • Through these, they had a monopoly on the sale of sacrificial animals, and exchanging money into temple coins for offerings. So they were able to:
    • Charge exorbitant prices
    • Reject people's own animals (since they are run by the High Priest) in favor of their own animals
  • Became a very rich family
• He would buy politicians with money
• He was deposed by the Romans in 15 AD
• Annas and Christ
  • Christ presented a threat to Annas' business, profits and livelihood
  • Annas is a Sadducee
    • No angels
    • No resurrection ("Let us eat, and drink, for tomorrow we die.")
• Gospel of John
  • It is said that John and his family knew Annas

The First Trial

¹² Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

¹⁹ The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. ²¹ Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

²² And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”

²³ Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

²⁴ Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

• Why did Annas ask Jesus about His disciples?
  • Caiaphas and Annas are in agreement that Jesus needs to die... but when He dies, His disciples may take over for Him! So he asks Him who His disciples are!
  • He wants to know who His followers are
    • Any of the powerful or wealthy figures? (e.g. Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea)
  • He wants to know who is funding His ministry
    • Christ's ministry was funded in a way that is different from the world... the women who were funding the ministry were SERVING Him; not controlling or dominating Him
    • Their offerings were a form of worship to Him
    • "Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, ² and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, ³ and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance." (Luke 8:1-3)
  • Christ refuses to answer about the disciples
    • If Christ had answered about the disciples, they would have gone and got them... Peter and John are in the courtyard!
    • The disciples are still young - they would not be able to bear it
      • Peter will go before Annas, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin in Acts 4, but he will have power from the Holy Spirit and he will be ready! But right now, he is not ready
    • He protects them
      • "Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition" (John 17:12)
      • "Jesus answered, 'I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,' that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, 'Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.'" (John 18:8-9)
    • Christ did this elsewhere as well
      • "Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon;" (John 8:48-49)
        • He didn't answer about "You are a Samaritan" - of course, He is not a Samaritan; He was born of St Mary - a Jew... but lest a Samaritan listening (or reading) would think that salvation is not for them. He refrained from answering. By refraining, He protected.
  • Christ answers about His doctrine
    • Annas and the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His teachings before
      • John 7:45-53
      • They had sent spies/officers to try and take Him, and the officers came back and reported the teachings
    • "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."
      • He spoke with courage
      • And He teaches us to speak with courage - He is our fortress. When we are asked, the Holy Spirit will give us a mouth and wisdom
      • He was not intimidated with the luxurious home (palace) of Annas
      • Courage without insult, without cursing, etc.
  • Why do you strike Me?
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBidx7CHWVs 
    • Why did He ask this question, although He would be beaten and striped for the next several hours?
      • Lest the one who struck him, actually think or believe that Christ made a mistake
      • Because if He is struck and remains silent, then he will think that Christ actually made a mistake against the High Priest!