BACKGROUND Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest the year Jesus was tried. Annas had performed the duty of high priest from 6 C.E. to 15 C.E. and was influential in the Sanhedrin, even after the trials. Technically, he was supposed to serve for life, but the appointment was made by the […]
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Barabbas had been imprisoned, waiting for trial, when Jesus was in custody during the Passover. He is referred to in Matthew as a “notable prisoner” (Matt. 27:16). John’s Gospel refers to Barabbas as a “robber,” a word usually reserved for the Zealots (18:40). Today, Barabbas might be called either a terrorist or a freedom fighter, […]
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BACKGROUND Caiaphas was the high priest of Jerusalem from 18 C.E. to 37 C.E. and was the high priest during the night of Jesus’ trials. The high priest was appointed at this time in Jewish history by the Romans and also served as the leader in the high court, the Sanhedrin. The first trial of […]
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BACKGROUND Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great. He was called Herod the Tetrarch, ruler of Galilee from 4 B.C.E. to 39 C.E. (Luke 3:1). Herod founded a city in Galilee called “Tiberias,” named after the Roman Emperor. Jesus called him “that fox” when he heard certain Pharisees report Antipas’ threat to kill […]
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BACKGROUND Herod the Great was King of Judaea from 37 B.C.E. to 4 C.E. He was born in 73 B.C.E. and grew up in a time of great political upheaval and unrest in Judaea. Being from an Idumaean background –- his mother was an ethnic Arab and his father was an Edomite –- Herod was […]
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James, the brother of Jesus, is mentioned several times in the New Testament. Matt. 13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? (See also Mark 6:3) After the resurrection: I Cor. 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then […]
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John Mark was the son of Mary of Jerusalem (Acts 12:12), a companion of Paul on his first journey, and cousin of Barnabas. Many scholars believe he is the author of the Gospel of Mark. Tradition says that the Last Supper was held at the house of his mother, but the Gospels do not support […]
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John the Baptist is portrayed in the Gospels as the forerunner of the Messiah. His role was in prophecy and his spiritual purpose was to prepare the nation of Israel for the coming of the one who was expected to save Israel. Prophecies of John the Baptist in the Old Testament: Mal. 3:1 1 Behold, […]
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Joseph of Arimathea was a man of great wealth, according to the Gospel of Matthew. He was also a member of the ruling judicial body of the Jews, called the Sanhedrin, which met together in the Temple. The Sanhedrin was a seventy-member body of priests made up of scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Joseph was from […]
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According to tradition, Luke was a Syrian of Antioch, who wrote a Gospel derived from Paul. He wrote it either in Achaia, Rome or Bithynia. Tradition says he died in Boeotia or Thebes at the age of 84. Luke was a physician and companion of Paul but did not witness Jesus’ ministry first-hand. His Gospel […]
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