WHY TWO HIGH PRIESTS?
Friends, on this "Truth Tuesday," I would like to reflect and highlight a revelation from the holy scriptures. Jesus's accusers, present in our world today, have called out the so-called discrepancy of two high priests recorded during the trial of Jeus on the night that he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
It is well established in jewish culture that the office of the high priest can only be occupied by one individual from the line of Aaron, Moses' brother. (Exodus 28: 1-43)
The Office of the High Priest is traditionally hereditary. The Israelite high priests are established through the male lineage of Aaron, who was the original high priest. It was through the law given to Moses at Mount Sinai that his elder brother Aaron was granted the office of the first high priest of the Israelites.
According to tradition, 18 high priests served in Solomon's Temple (c. 960–586 bc) and 60 in the Second Temple (516 bc–ad 70). Since that time, there has been no Jewish high priest, for national sacrifice was permanently interrupted with the destruction of the second temple.
However, during Christ's betrayal and crucifixion there were two high priests, Annas and Caiaphas.
Accusers along with atheists are ready to highlight and call out this.
How can there be two high priests?
I've personally checked and there are two high priests. (See..Luke 3:2)
"Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness."
(See...John 18:13)
"First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year."
SPIRITUALLY APPOINTED.
Annas was the legally appointed high priest who was replaced by Caiaphas. This was done by Valerius Gratus, a Roman governor (tenure in office:15-26 CE) and predecessor to Pontius pilate.
POLITICAL APPOINTED.
Caiaphas was the politically appointed high priest and son-in-law to Annas, the legitimate spiritual high priest.
God in his infinite wisdom could not allow the priesthood to condemn an innocent man and contaminate the order of the priesthood.
Therefore, it was the illegitimate and counterfeit high priest appointed by man that condemned Jesus of Nazareth.
the Roman governor Valerius Gratus appointed Caiaphas as high priest in Jerusalem. The two men must have had an excellent working relationship, because Caiaphas remained in office exceptionally long (18 years). Gratus' successor Pontius Pilate retained Caiaphas as high priest in office. Caiaphas was also a member of one of the ruling Jewish sects, the Sadducees. Sadducees were often wealthy men of high position and influence.
"Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all. You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." (John 11:49-50)
We understand that there is no other being like God. He is the most unique being that ever exist, and He is a one of a kind. His way are far from our was and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
Therefore, there will always be unanswered questions from criticism of the word of God.
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)
God has kept some things secret. They belong to him. But there are also things that God has revealed and they belong to us.
Marcel and Jackie Bruff
@walkgoodinchrist
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