THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Small Group Discussion Guide Text: John 18:12-14 and 19-24 Theme/ Big Idea: Who will you trust? The earthly high priest or Jesus, our Heavenly High Priest? Man or God? Context/ Background Information: The Gospel of John was the last of the Gospels to be written. John knows that his readers are familiar with the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. Therefore, John provides supplemental material to the other Gospels and uses the passion narrative to communicate the good news of the gospel. For instance, in Jesus' arrest on the Mount of Olives, John reminds his readers of the first garden where man rebelled. In the garden on the Mount of Olives, it is a band of Gentile, Roman soldiers led by a rebel, Jewish disciple who raise their weapons against God. In retelling this story, John shows that the whole earth is set against God and that it is only through Jesus' death that man can be redeemed. John also indicates that Jesus was never caught off guard, was in complete control, and is the great I Am. John then tells of Jesus' three interrogations and sets Peter's three denials against that backdrop. While Peter fails three times, Jesus is faithful three times. While Peter falls at the first sign of opposition from a servant girl, Jesus is fearless and faithful through severe persecution. In telling Peter's story, his imperfection, and his failure, John captures yet again the story of man and his desperate need for a perfect Savior to rescue and reconcile him to God. Turning to John 18:12-14 and 19-24, John recounts Jesus' interrogation before Annas. In doing so, John masterfully forces the reader to decide between trusting in man or trusting in God, trusting in an earthly high priest or trusting in the True High Priest, Jesus. John forces the questions, "Who is the true high priest, the only one capable of mediating between sinful man and holy God? In whom will you put your hope?" Taking stock of these three narratives accounts John provides, we see that man has rebelled, man has failed, and Jesus is the only high priest who can reconcile us to God. IN WHOM WILL YOUR TRUST? The trial of Jesus has three phases. Phase 1 was a preliminary examination by Annas (John 18:12-14; 19-24). John is the only Gospel writer to record this scene. Therefore, it must have significant implications for the entire thesis of John (John 20:31). Phase 2 was a formal trial by the Sanhedrin. This was facilitated by and presided over by Caiaphas (Matt 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65). John does not provide any additional details or content related to this trial, likely because his audience was already familiar with the proceedings of the Sanhedrin and this phase of Jesus' trial. The third and final phase of Jesus' trial was the formal hearing before Pilate (John 18:28-19:16). John 18:12-14 and 19-24 captures the preliminary examination by Annas. Verse 13 says the band of soldiers led Jesus to Annas, "for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year" (John 18:13). While Roman authorities arbitrarily deposed and appointed the high priest, Jews recognized that the high priest's role was established by God and thus a lifetime appointment (Num 25:10-13). Annas served as high priest from AD 5 to 15, was deposed by the Roman governor Valerius Gratus, the predecessor to Pilate, and was succeeded by five of his sons and son-in-law, Caiaphas.(1) Despite this, Annas still held considerable influence, and the Jews still recognized Annas as the true and rightful high priest. Annas was the living patriarch of a high priestly dynasty and was considered the highest high priest, if such a title existed. This is made clear in that they brought Jesus first to Annas before they took him to the "high priest that year," Caiaphas. Bringing Jesus to Annas, therefore, was done out of reverence and respect for a man they thought was the true mediator between the people and God.(2) John wants his audience to see, hear, and feel the irony. The high priest's role was established by God to serve as a mediator between sinful man and a holy God. John is forcing the observant reader to ask, "Who is the rightful high priest, Annas or Jesus?" While everyone thinks Annas is the true and rightful high priest, it is actually Jesus, who is the long-awaited True and Better High Priest. Only Jesus can mediate between sinful man and a holy God (Heb 5:5–10; 6:20). Additionally, the high priest's role was to point people to God. Annas, however, cannot see God in the flesh standing before him. Furthermore, the earthly high priest stands in judgment and condemnation over the Heavenly High Priest. Rather than bow before God, Annas questions God. John 18:13 is a micro retelling of the Garden of Eden and man's blind arrogance, where he used the authority given to him by God to sit in judgment upon God. John is forcing his readers to decide. Will they look to Annas to reconcile them to God, or will they look to God himself to reconcile them to God? ANNAS OR JESUS The high priest referenced in verse 19 is likely Annas. Our clue is in verse 24, which says that after this interrogation, "Annas sent Jesus to Caiaphas." In this narrative, John's primary aim is to force a comparison between the earthly high priest and the Heavenly High Priest. More than that, John is intent on forcing the reader to decide in whom they will trust. For against the secretive, underhanded, rush to judgment without witnesses, John sets the open communication, abundant witnesses, and perfect innocence of Jesus. First, John notes the secretive rush to judgment by night before sinful men. John reminds us in verse 14 that the verdict had already been reached before any trial; Jesus must die (John 11:49-51; 18:14). Then there is the trial by night, something that did not follow expected norms in capital trials. To act at night meant being secretive and underhanded. Jewish readers would immediately be aware that there has been a breach in Jewish legal proceedings and the actions of the earthly high priest are questionable. Then, John says the high priest questioned Jesus directly without witnesses. This, too, was a breach in normal Jewish legal proceedings. The presiding judge, especially in capital cases, always heard the testimony of witnesses before directly questioning or incriminating the accused. And typically, the judge heard witnesses in defense of the accused first.(3) Jesus calls into question the high priests' lack of witnesses when he says, "Ask those who have heard me what I said to them…" (John 18:21). And finally, John draws the reader's attention to the focus of Annas' questioning, which is on Jesus' teaching. The way John constructs the narrative emphasizes Jesus' teaching is the primary concern of the religious leaders. John says the high priest "questioned Jesus" specifically about Jesus' "disciples and his teaching." Jesus answers first regarding his teaching and then his disciples (i.e., those who heard and believed). It is a subtle chiasm with Jesus' teaching as the central point of discussion. This is important because it provides the opportunity to contrast the secretive actions and interrogation of Annas against the open teaching of Jesus. Jesus responded to Annas' questioning, saying, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret." Jewish tradition held that false prophets spoke secretly in an effort to corrupt and lead astray. Jesus, however, spoke, "openly…to the world…in synagogues…in the temple… [saying] nothing in secret." Additionally, everything Jesus taught pointed people towards God, not away. In other words, nothing was hidden, secret, or confusing. His teaching was always open for all to hear. He was always plain and clear in terms of his identity, purpose, and teaching, and everything he taught pointed towards God the Father. We must not miss the ironic contrast in this text. While Annas questions Jesus in the darkness of night, Jesus is the one who spoke openly in the light. While Annas was the high priest tasked with pointing people to God, Jesus is God in the flesh. While Annas is trying to prove Jesus is a false prophet leading people away from God, Jesus is the True Prophet and only means of being reconciled to God. While Annas has assumed power, yet abuses it; Jesus has all power, yet sacrificially submits it for our sakes. John is forcing his readers to decide. Who will they bow before? Who will they serve? Who will they trust? Annas or Jesus? Remember, the high priest's primary role was to point people to the one true God and mediate between sinful man and holy God. Here, the earthly high priest is questioning Jesus and trying to prove that he is a false prophet leading people away from God (John 7:12). Yet, in the way John constructs the narrative and in the statements Jesus makes, Annas is proved to be the false prophet, working at night and drawing people away from God. At the same time, Jesus stands as the innocent long-awaited Savior of the world.