Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 18:13

"and led him to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year." — John 18:13 (ASV)

With the willing surrender of Jesus, the arrest was complete. The “commander” was the officer in charge, possibly the executive of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem (cf. the use of the same term in Ac 22:24–28; 23:17, 19, 22). Jesus was taken at once to the residence of the high priest. Annas had served as high priest from A. D. 6 to 15, when he was deposed by the Roman procurator, Valerius Gratus. Four of Annas’s sons were among those who succeeded him. His son-in-law, Caiaphas, held office from A. D. 18 until 36, during the time of Jesus’ active ministry. Although others held the priestly office, Annas seems to have been the elder statesman and “the power behind the throne,” particularly for Caiaphas. He was regarded with great respect by his contemporaries and must have been considered an expert in religious matters. John’s gospel alone takes note of Christ’s appearance before Annas, which was probably a preliminary hearing to evaluate the case, prior to the main hearing that followed in the early hours of the morning before the members of the Jewish tribunal.