Greek word · G2533

Καϊάφας

kaiaphas

Caiaphas

A personal name. Josephus gives his full name as "Joseph, who was also called Caiaphas" (Antiquities 18.35). The meaning of the Aramaic name Qayyafa is uncertain; suggestions are speculative.

Appears 9 times in 9 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Καιάφας (T, Καϊ-), -α ὁ,

Caiaphas (on the name, see Exp. Times, x, 185): Matthew 26:3, 57, Luke 3:2, John 11:4 18:13-14, 24 18:28 Acts 4:6.†

Καΐφας, for Καιάφας, which see: Luke 3:2 (L)

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of John 11:49

Range of meaning

A personal name. Josephus gives his full name as "Joseph, who was also called Caiaphas" (Antiquities 18.35). The meaning of the Aramaic name Qayyafa is uncertain; suggestions are speculative.

Against the English

BSB adds "named" and KJV marks "[named]" as supplied. The Greek simply sets the name next to "a certain one of them". Nothing is lost.

Used elsewhere in the period

Josephus, Antiquities 18.35 (appointed by the governor Valerius Gratus, c. AD 18) and 18.95 (removed by the Syrian legate Vitellius, c. AD 36/37). He held office for about 18 years, an unusually long tenure in a period when high priests were often replaced quickly. That suggests he worked well with Rome, including through Pontius Pilate's whole governorship (AD 26–36). In 1990 an ossuary (bone box) inscribed with a form of "Joseph son of Caiaphas" was found in a Jerusalem family tomb. Many scholars connect it to him, but the identification is debated.

From the study of Matthew 26:3

Range of meaning

A family name or byname, probably from Aramaic Qayafa. Its meaning is uncertain.

Against the English

“Whose name was Caiaphas” (BSB, NIV, ESV) suggests it was his only name. KJV, WEB and YLT have “who was called Caiaphas,” which is closer to the Greek λεγομένου and fits a byname.

Used elsewhere in the period

Josephus calls him “Joseph who was also called Caiaphas” (Antiquities 18.35) and later reports that the Syrian legate Vitellius removed him from office (Antiquities 18.95). In 1990 a family tomb found in Jerusalem contained an elaborate ossuary (bone box) inscribed “Yehosef bar Qayafa,” “Joseph son of Caiaphas.” Many scholars connect it with this high priest, though the identification is debated.

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 26:3 Καϊάφα Caiaphas

    At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,

    Here: Joseph Caiaphas, high priest from about AD 18 to 36/37 and son-in-law of Annas (John 18:13). Matthew is the only one of the first three Gospels to name him at this point.

  2. Matthew 26:57 Καϊάφαν Caiaphas

    Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.

    Here: Joseph Caiaphas, high priest about AD 18–36. Josephus calls him "Joseph who was called Caiaphas". He held the office longer than anyone else under Roman rule, which suggests he worked well with the prefects, Pilate among them.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 3:2 Καϊάφα, Caiaphas,

    during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

    Here: Joseph Caiaphas, Annas' son-in-law (John 18:13), the high priest actually sitting in office (about AD 18–36). Later in the Gospels he presides when Jesus is handed over.

John · 5

  1. John 11:49 Καϊάφας, Caiaphas,

    But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all!

    Here: Joseph Caiaphas, the sitting high priest (in office c. AD 18–36/37) and son-in-law of Annas (John 18:13). Josephus calls him "Joseph who was also called Caiaphas"; Caiaphas was a family name or nickname.

  2. John 18:13 Καϊάφα of Caiaphas

    They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

  3. John 18:14 Καϊάφας Caiaphas

    Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people.

    Here: Joseph Caiaphas, high priest c. AD 18–36 and son-in-law of Annas (v. 13). Naming him here reminds the reader of where the story is heading: he is the one who will finally deal with Jesus.

  4. John 18:24 Καϊάφαν Caiaphas

    Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

  5. John 18:28 Καϊάφα Caiaphas

    Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

    Here: Joseph Caiaphas, high priest c. 18–36 CE, son-in-law of Annas (18:13). John does not narrate what happened before Caiaphas; he only notes that Jesus was sent there (18:24) and now taken from there.

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 4:6 Καϊάφας Caiaphas

    along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.