Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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CAIAPHAS

Son-in-law of Annas and his successor as High Priest of Jerusalem (A.D. 18-37) (Luke 3:2). It was his ominous observation to the chief priests and Pharisees that presaged the death of Jesus. "You don't seem to have grasped the situation at all; you fail to see that it is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed" (John 11:49-50). Jesus, after Annas had questioned him, was brought to the palace of Caiaphas (John 18:24), who sent him to Pilate for official condemnation. (Etym. Greek kaiaphas, rock or depression.)