The Four Gospels

Annas

Annas

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 […]

Barabbas

Barabbas

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, […]

Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas

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 […]

John the Baptist

John the Baptist

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, […]

Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph of Arimathea

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 […]

Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene

  “This elusive figure is the most famous of Jesus’ women disciples and the one who has been most misinterpreted in Christian history” (Meyers 120). Another author has written, “The whole history of western civilization is epitomized in the cult of Mary Magdalene” (Carroll 108). Mary is the only one of the women identified by […]

Pontius Pilate

Pontius Pilate

Pilate was the fifth Roman procurator or governor of Judaea, Samaria, and Idumaea (26-36 C.E.). His headquarters were at Caesarea Maritima, but he came to Jerusalem during the major festivals, including the Passover, because the influx of visitors gave rise to disorder. He brought imperial images into the city in violation of Jewish customs and […]

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