Jewish High Priest (circa 14 BCE - 46 CE)
b. 1st century · d. 1st century
Joseph ben Caiaphas was a High Priest of Israel during the first century. In the New Testament, the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John indicate he was an organizer of the plot to kill Jesus. He is portrayed as presiding over the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus. The primary sources for Caiaphas' life are the New Testament and the writings of the historian Josephus. The latter recorded that Caiaphas was made high priest by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus after Simon ben Camithus had been deposed.