Devine Scripture

John 18:13

What does John 18:13 mean?

A plain-English look at John 18:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 18:13 means

Jesus is first led to Annas. The text explains that Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who held the office of high priest that year. This detail is significant because Annas, though deposed by the Romans, still exerted immense influence as a former high priest and power broker within the Jewish religious establishment. Taking Jesus to Annas first suggests a deliberate strategy to begin the interrogation with a highly influential figure before formal presentation to the current high priest.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and led him to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and led him to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

They took him first to Annas, because Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest that year.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they led him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was chief priest of that year,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they led him away to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiphas, who was the high priest of that year.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and they led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

Context

This verse immediately narrates the first step in Jesus' trial process, identifying Annas as His initial interrogator. It provides crucial relational context by explaining Annas's familial link to Caiaphas, the acting high priest. This sets the stage for the political maneuvering of the Jewish leaders, before moving on to Caiaphas's prior declaration.

v.12So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,

v.13This passage

v.14Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 18:24

    Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

  • Luke 3:2

    in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

  • Matthew 26:57

    And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

  • Acts 4:6

    and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.

  • Matthew 26:3

    Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

  • John 11:51

    Now this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;

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