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Palace of Annas

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Drawing of the Palace of the High Priest During the Second Temple Period.

The Palace of Annas

According to tradition the palace of Annas was located in the Upper City near the palace of Caiaphas and Herod's Palace. The high priests of the Second Temple period had their luxurious residences on the southwest hill. There have been many splended palaces excavated in the area of the Upper City but it is uncertain exactly where the Palace of Annas was specifically located. Israeli archaeologists have learned that the style of the palaces in the southwestern part of Jerusalem were more Hasmonean rather than Hellenistic Roman with tile roofs as was previously thought.

John 18:13 "And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year."

The Romans made sure that they had total control over the all the affairs of Judea, they reserved the right to appoint not only the civil ruler but also the religious leader of the Jews, the high priest. History records that Annas had been deposed as high priest in 15 AD by the Procurator Valerius Gratus. Josephus relates that "Joseph who was also called Caiaphas" was made high priest by the Procurator Valerius Gratus (18 AD), and that he was removed by the Procurator Vitellius (36 AD). His successor was "Jonathan the son of Ananus," (Annas of the NT) (Antiq. XVIII. ii. 2; iv. 3) .

Also See: Palace of Caiaphas

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