Jesus is Brought to the Palace of Annas 

Annas, a powerful retired high priest, was arguably the most influential figure in all of Jewry. He was very wealthy due to temple revenues, and he maintained strong connections with the Roman authorities. Moreover, he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the acting high priest. After his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was brought to Annas’ palace on Mount Olivet in secrecy, where he was detained and questioned for about three hours. This palace was not far from where Jesus had been arrested.

A smooth and clever planner, Annas sought to control the handling of Jesus' fate, reluctant to entrust such a critical task entirely to his abrasive and forceful son-in-law, Caiaphas. In addition, he wanted to give the Sanhedrin court time to legally convene, a court composed of only those Sanhedrin who were openly and strongly opposed to Jesus.

Jesus threatened Annas’ temple revenues, and when the Master cleansed the temple of the money changers and traders, it posed a serious threat to Annas’ profits. For Annas, this was infuriating and meant more to him than any of Jesus’ teachings. To Annas, Jesus had to be stopped, one way or another.

It had been several years since Annas had last seen Jesus. The last time they met was when Jesus called upon him at his home, but he left immediately after he sensed Annas’ coldness towards him. Nevertheless, Annas now thought he might presume on their earlier times of friendship; that he could possibly persuade Jesus to stop his teaching and leave Palestine. He still thought of Jesus as a good man and did not want to be a part of his murder; he hoped that Jesus would see reason and accept exile rather than be killed. But that hope was abandoned when they came face to face; Jesus was more dignified and self-possessed than Annas remembered.

After Annas had seated himself in a large chair in the audience chamber, he had Jesus brought before him. He spent a few silent moments looking over Jesus and then told him: "You realize that something must be done about your teaching since you are disturbing the peace and order of our country." Jesus looked into Annas’ eyes, but he did not reply. Next, Annas demanded that Jesus tell him the names of his apostles; again, Jesus made no reply.

The Master’s silence was unsettling to Annas. He spoke again to Jesus: "Do you have no care as to whether I am friendly to you or not? Do you have no regard for the power I have in determining the issues of your coming trial?" Jesus did reply to this question, saying, "Annas, you know that you could have no power over me unless it were permitted by my Father. Some would destroy the Son of Man because they are ignorant; they know no better, but you, friend, know what you are doing. How can you, therefore, reject the light of God?"

Jesus’ kindly manner was disconcerting, but In Annas’ mind, there were only two alternatives concerning Jesus: He must either agree to leave Palestine, or he must be put to death. He asked Jesus to explain what he was trying to teach and who he was claiming to be. Jesus answered: "You know full well that I have spoken openly to the world. I have taught in the synagogues and many times in the temple, where all the Jews and many of the gentiles have heard me. In secret, I have spoken nothing; why, then, do you ask me about my teaching? Why do you not summon those who have heard me and inquire of them? Behold, all Jerusalem has heard that which I have spoken even if you have not yourself heard these teachings."

At this, Annas’ chief steward stepped forward and struck Jesus in the face, saying: "How dare you answer the high priest with such words?" Annas did not reprimand the steward, but Jesus asked: "My friend, if I have spoken evil, bear witness against the evil; but if I have spoken the truth, why, then, should you smite me?"

Annas’ pride would not allow him to admit any responsibility in the matter, and he went into another room. Jesus was left in the audience room with the household help and the temple guards for nearly an hour.

Upon returning, he went up to Jesus and asked him directly if he claimed to be the Messiah, the deliverer of Israel. Jesus said to Annas: "Annas, you have known me from the times of my youth. You know that I claim to be nothing except that which my Father has appointed and that I have been sent to all men, gentile as well as Jew."

And once more, Annas asked Jesus: "I have been told that you have claimed to be the Messiah; is that true?" Jesus looked upon Annas but only replied, "So you have said."

When the messengers of Caiaphas came to ask when Jesus was going to be brought to the court of the Sanhedrin, Annas bound Jesus and sent him with the temple guards to Caiaphas since it was now near the break of day. Annas followed shortly behind.