Guest Post
by Dave Griffiths
Have you ever wondered about the inquisitors ? The three key officials at Jesus’ trial ? The three inquisitors were Annas, Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate. It is these three men that made the final decisions leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Annas was the patriarch of a powerful Sadducean family. He was high priest in Jerusalem for ten years until he was deposed by a Roman procurator. His five sons and son-in-law Caiaphas served as his puppet high priests. During his life, the Jewish people cursed him and his entire family for their corruption and cruelty. After Jesus was arrested, He was first brought before Annas.
This is what archaeology has to say about Annas; His final resting place for centuries has been used as a garbage dump. It has been occupied by squatters, horses, and goats.
A construction crew accidently stumbled on a cave containing boxes called ossuaries with decomposed human skeletal remains. One of the boxes had Caiaphas’s name inscribed on it in Aramaic.
It was Caiaphas who asked Jesus the greatest of all questions;- “I put you under oath by the living God; Tell us if you are the Messiah, Son of God “? Jesus said to him, “It is as you said, never the less, I say unto you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven”. (Matt. 26:63-64)
If anyone had “first hand” information, it was Caiaphas. Judgement awaits Caiaphas when God raises him from the dead to stand before Him at the Great White Throne judgement. (Rev. 20:11-15).
Most people know the name Pontius Pilate. He was governor of Judea and represented the might of imperial Rome.
He said to Jesus;- “I have power to crucify you, and power to release you”. (Jhn. 19:10). Pilate made the decision to crucify Jesus. It was after Jesus’ death and resurrection that Pontius Pilate was banished to Gaul, where he committed suicide. He awaits the Great White Throne judgement where he will meet Jesus again, face to face.
This is the actual ignominious legacy of the three inquisitors who dared to interrogate the incarnate God. They are lost in history, yet Jesus is remembered by countless million as Prophet, Priest, and King. One day He will return to judge all who do not know Him, and then He will rule the world from David’s throne in the new Jerusalem.
Dave
Really good word Dave. Greatly appreciated.