452. Hannas
Lexical Summary
Hannas: Annas

Original Word: Ἅννας
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Hannas
Pronunciation: HAN-nas
Phonetic Spelling: (an'-nas)
KJV: Annas
NASB: Annas
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H2608 (חֲנַניָה חֲנַניָהוּ - Hananiah))]

1. Annas, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Annas.

Of Hebrew origin (Chananyah); Annas (i.e. Ananias), an Israelite -- Annas.

see GREEK Ananias

see HEBREW Chananyah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Chananyah
Definition
Annas, a high priest
NASB Translation
Annas (4).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 452: Αννας

Αννας (WH Ἅννας, see their Introductory § 408), Αννα (on this genitive cf. Winer's Grammar, § 8, 1, p. 60 (59)), (in Josephus, Ἀνανος; from Hebrew חָנַן to be gracious), a high priest of the Jews, elevated to the pontificate by Quirinius the governor of Syria circa A.D. 6 or 7; but afterward, A.D. 15, deposed by Valerius Gratus, the procurator of Judaea, who put in his place, first Ismael, son of Phabi, and shortly after Eleazar, son of Annas. From the latter, the office passed to Simon; from Simon circa A.D. 18 to Caiaphas (Josephus, Antiquities 18, 2, 1f); but Annas, even after he had been put out of office, continued to have great influence: John 18:13, 24. This explains the mistake (but see references below (especially to Schürer), and cf. ἀρχιερεύς, 2) by which Luke, in his Gospel (according to the true reading ἀρχιερέως) and in Acts 4:6, attributes to him the pontificate long after he had been removed from office. Cf. Winers RWB under the word Annas; Keim in Schenkel i., p. 135f; Schürer in the Zeitschr. für wissensch. Theol. for 1876, p. 580f (also in his Neutest. Zeitgesch. § 23 iv.; and BB. DD. under the word).

Topical Lexicon
Historical Background

Annas, son of Seth, was appointed high priest by Roman governor Quirinius around A.D. 6 and served until A.D. 15, when Valerius Gratus removed him. Although officially deposed, Annas retained the honorific title and wielded considerable authority for decades, largely through his control of the high-priestly succession: five of his sons and his son-in-law Caiaphas later held the office. Josephus highlights both the extent of his influence and the wealth accrued through Temple commerce.

Family Connections and Dynastic Influence

Annas’ daughter married Caiaphas, the acting high priest during the public ministry of Jesus. This marriage cemented a powerful alliance that effectively placed the priesthood under one family’s control from A.D. 6 to A.D. 43. The Gospel writers regularly mention Annas and Caiaphas together, reflecting how the two functioned as a single power bloc (Luke 3:2).

Appearances in Scripture

Luke 3:2 places Annas alongside Caiaphas at the threshold of John the Baptist’s ministry: “during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness”.

John 18:13 records that Jesus was “brought first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year”.

John 18:24 notes that “Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest”.

Acts 4:6 lists Annas among the rulers who examined Peter and John after the healing of the lame man: “and Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high-priestly family”.

Annas and the Trial of Jesus

By receiving Jesus first, Annas acted as an unofficial gatekeeper for the Sanhedrin. The interrogation recorded in John 18 underscores his continued clout: though Caiaphas held the official office, Annas orchestrated the proceedings. The transfer to Caiaphas fulfilled procedural requirements for a formal Sanhedrin verdict, yet the initial hearing under Annas set the tone. His role illustrates the political maneuvering surrounding the crucifixion and fulfills prophetic anticipation that Messiah would be rejected by Israel’s leaders (Isaiah 53:3).

Annas in the Early Church’s Persecution

In Acts 4, Annas convenes the very body that only weeks earlier had condemned Jesus. Now he confronts Spirit-filled apostles whose boldness and miraculous power he cannot deny (Acts 4:13-14). His question, “By what power or what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7), evokes the same hostility he displayed toward Jesus and showcases the continuity between the suffering of Christ and the suffering of His servants.

Theological and Ministerial Significance

1. Persistence of Spiritual Opposition: Annas embodies entrenched religious resistance to divine revelation. Whether facing Jesus or His apostles, he suppresses truth to preserve institutional control.
2. Sovereignty of God over Earthly Powers: Despite Annas’ dominance, Scripture portrays God’s redemptive plan advancing unhindered—from John the Baptist’s call to repentance (Luke 3) through the crucifixion (John 18) to the apostolic witness (Acts 4).
3. Prophetic Vindication of Christ: Annas’ hearings fulfill Jesus’ own prediction that He would be delivered to chief priests (Matthew 20:18), validating the accuracy of both prophecy and Gospel record.
4. Contrast Between Empty Religion and Living Faith: Annas represents a priesthood preoccupied with ritual and profit, while Jesus and the apostles demonstrate a Spirit-empowered ministry that brings healing and salvation.

Spiritual Lessons

• Religious titles cannot substitute for genuine submission to God; Annas held the highest office yet opposed the Messiah.
• Power structures may hinder truth, but faithful proclamation—whether from Jesus or His followers—ultimately prevails.
• Believers today can expect resistance yet may take courage from the apostles who, filled with the Holy Spirit, bore witness before the very authorities that condemned their Lord.

Summary

Annas stands as a pivotal figure linking the ministries of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the early Church. His influence, though formidable, ultimately serves to highlight the invincibility of God’s redemptive purpose and the steadfastness required of those called to bear witness in hostile settings.

Forms and Transliterations
Ανναν Ἅνναν Αννας Ἅννας Annan Annas Hannan Hánnan Hannas Hánnas
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 3:2 N-GMS
GRK: ἐπὶ ἀρχιερέως Ἅννα καὶ Καιάφα
NAS: in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
KJV: Annas and Caiaphas
INT: during [the] high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas

John 18:13 N-AMS
GRK: ἤγαγον πρὸς Ἅνναν πρῶτον ἦν
NAS: and led Him to Annas first;
KJV: away to Annas first; for
INT: they led [him] away to Annas first he was

John 18:24 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτὸν ὁ Ἅννας δεδεμένον πρὸς
NAS: So Annas sent Him bound
KJV: Now Annas had sent him
INT: him Annas bound to

Acts 4:6 N-NMS
GRK: καὶ Ἅννας ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς
NAS: and Annas the high priest
KJV: And Annas the high priest, and
INT: and Annas the high priest

Strong's Greek 452
4 Occurrences


Ἅννα — 1 Occ.
Ἅνναν — 1 Occ.
Ἅννας — 2 Occ.

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