Church Fathers Commentary John 18:12-14

"So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him, and led him to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." — John 18:12-14 (ASV)

Theophylact of Ohrid: After everything had been done that could dissuade the Jews, and they still refused to take warning, He allowed Himself to be delivered into their hands: Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus.

St. Augustine of Hippo: They took Him whom they did not draw near to, nor did they understand what is written in the Psalms: Draw near to Him, and be enlightened. For if they had drawn near to Him in this way, they would have taken Him not to kill Him, but to receive Him into their hearts. But now, in taking Him as they do, they go backward.

The account continues, and bound Him—the very One by whom they should have wished to be set free. And perhaps there were some among them who, later delivered by Him, would exclaim, You have broken My chains asunder. But after they had bound Jesus, it becomes perfectly clear that Judas had betrayed Him not for a good purpose, but for a most wicked one: And led Him away to Annas first.

St. John Chrysostom: They did this in exultation, to show what they had done, as if they were raising a trophy.

St. Augustine of Hippo: The evangelist tells us immediately why they did so: For he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Matthew, in order to shorten the narrative, says that He was led to Caiaphas. This is because He was led to Annas first, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, so we must understand that Annas wished to act Caiaphas’s part.

The Venerable Bede: This was so that, while our Lord was being condemned by his colleague, Annas himself might not be guiltless, though his crime was less. Or perhaps his house lay in their path, and they were obliged to pass by it. It may also have been the design of Providence that those who were allied by blood should also be associated in guilt.

The fact that Caiaphas was high priest for that year, however, seems contrary to the Law, which ordained that there should be only one high priest and that the office be hereditary. But by this time, the high priesthood had been abandoned to ambitious men.

Alcuin of York: Josephus relates that this Caiaphas bought the high priesthood for that year. It is no wonder, then, that a wicked high priest judged wickedly. A man who was advanced to the priesthood by greed would maintain his position there by injustice.

St. John Chrysostom: So that no one, however, might be disturbed by the sound of the chains, the Evangelist reminds us of the prophecy that His death would be the salvation of the world: Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. Such is the overpowering force of truth that even its enemies echo it.