So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. (Jn 18:12-14)
Annas had been high priest. He was in retirement, but he still had authority. Jesus is brought to him first. It seems nepotism reigned in the Temple at that time, but of course, some of that couldn’t be helped given OT prescriptions as to who could and could not be High-Priest. In any case, Caiaphas was his son in law. Fathers look out for their daughters by looking out for their sons in law and getting them good jobs. It was Caiaphas who suggested that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. He didn’t know how right he was.
It seems he just wanted to spare the city of Jerusalem bloodshed and tribulation. He was afraid of the messianic fervor. He was afraid of the Roman response. It is Jesus who chastises Jerusalem and its leaders for not knowing the things that make for peace. For all the efforts of the Chief Priests and rulers, Jerusalem would fall, and blood shed would come. But not before one man died for the people.
Caiaphas did not know how right he was. Jesus would die for the people, for all of them throughout the world. He would bring a different peace, a peace the world will not and does not know. It is a peace established between God and man. It is a peace that will last forever for those who believe.
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