# high priest #

## Definition: ##

The term "high priest" refers to a special priest who was appointed to serve for one year as the leader of all the other Israelite priests. 

* The high priest had special responsibilities. He was the only one who was permitted to go into the most holy part of the temple to offer a special sacrifice once a year.
* The Israelites had many priests, but only one high priest at a time.
* When Jesus was being arrested, Caiaphas was the official high priest. Caiphas' father-in-law Annas is also mentioned sometimes because he was a former high priest who probably still had power and authority over the people.

## Translation Suggestions: ##

* "High priest" could be translated as "supreme priest" or "highest ranking priest."
* Make sure this term is translated differently from the term "chief priest."

(See also: [annas](../other/annas.md) **·** [caiaphas](../other/caiaphas.md) **·** [chief priests](../other/chiefpriests.md) **·** [priest, priesthood](../kt/priest.md) **·** [temple](../kt/temple.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [Acts 05:26-28](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/act/05/26)
* [Acts 07:1-3](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/act/07/01)
* [Acts 09:1-2](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/act/09/01)
* [Exodus 30:10](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/exo/30/10)
* [Hebrews 06:19-20](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/heb/06/19)
* [Leviticus 16:32-33](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/lev/16/32)
* [Luke 03:1-2](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/luk/03/01)
* [Mark 02:25-26](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mrk/02/25)
* [Matthew 26:3-5](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mat/26/03)
* [Matthew 26:51-54](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mat/26/51)

## Examples from the Bible stories: ##

* __[13-08](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/13-08)__ No one could enter the room behind the curtain except the __high priest__, because God lived there.
* __[21-07](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/21-07)__ The Messiah who would come would be the perfect __high priest__  who would offer himself as a perfect sacrifice to God.
* __[38-03](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/38-03)__ The Jewish leaders, led by the __high priest__, paid Judas thirty silver coins to betray Jesus.
* __[39-01](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/39-01)__ The soldiers led Jesus to the house of the __high priest__  in order for the __high priest__  to question him.
* __[39-03](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/39-03)__ Finally, the __high priest__  looked directly at Jesus and said, "Tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of the living God?"
* __[44-07](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/44-07)__ The next day, the Jewish leaders brought Peter and John to the __high priest__  and the other religious leaders.
* __[45-02](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/45-02)__ So the religious leaders arrested Stephen and brought him to the __high priest__  and the other leaders of the Jews, where more false witnesses lied about Stephen.
* __[46-01](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/46-01)__ The __high priest__  gave Saul permission to go to the city of Damascus to arrest Christians there and bring them back to Jerusalem.
* __[48-06](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/48-06)__ Jesus is the Great __High Priest__. Unlike other priests, he offered himself as the only sacrifice that could to take away the sin of all the people in the world. Jesus was the perfect __high priest__  because he took the punishment for every sin that anyone has ever committed.