John 18:24

KJV

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now Annas {G452} had sent {G649} him {G846} bound {G1210} unto {G4314} Caiaphas {G2533} the high priest {G749}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So ‘Anan sent him, still tied up, to Kayafa the cohen hagadol.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Annas sent Him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

American Standard Version

Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 18:24 marks a critical juncture in Jesus's unjust trial, detailing His formal transfer from Annas, the influential former high priest, to Caiaphas, the reigning high priest. This verse signifies the transition from an informal, preliminary interrogation to the official proceedings of the Sanhedrin, emphasizing the coordinated effort of the Jewish religious authorities to condemn Jesus and highlighting His status as a bound prisoner.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Annas's interrogation of Jesus, as recorded in [John 18:19-23](/john/18-19-23 "Annas's Interrogation of Jesus"). Prior to this, Jesus was arrested in the [Garden of Gethsemane](/john/18-1-12 "Jesus' Arrest in Gethsemane") and brought directly to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas. The narrative in John's Gospel meticulously traces the sequential movement of Jesus through various stages of His trial, from Annas to Caiaphas, then to Pilate, and finally to the cross. Verse 24 serves as a crucial transitional statement, signaling the end of Annas's preliminary examination and the commencement of the more formal, legally recognized proceedings under the official high priest. It underscores the coordinated, though illicit, actions of the Jewish leadership against Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Annas, though deposed by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus in AD 15, retained immense influence as the patriarch of a powerful priestly family; five of his sons and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, served as high priests. His continued authority is evident in Jesus being brought to him first, indicating his unofficial but significant role in Jewish affairs. The Jewish legal system, particularly the Sanhedrin, had strict rules regarding arrest, interrogation, and trial procedures, many of which appear to have been violated in the hasty proceedings against Jesus. For instance, trials were not to be held at night, and a capital case required a full day for deliberation before a verdict. The transfer of Jesus, "bound," to Caiaphas's residence, where the full Sanhedrin would convene, highlights the urgency and irregularity of their desire to secure a condemnation, operating outside the spirit, if not the letter, of their own laws.
* **Key Themes:** John 18:24 contributes to several key themes pervasive in John's Gospel. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Jesus's Sovereignty amidst Suffering**. Despite being "bound" and subjected to human injustice, Jesus remains in control, fulfilling His divine mission. This is a paradox central to John's portrayal of the Passion, where Jesus is both the suffering Lamb and the majestic King. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Rejection of Jesus by Religious Authority**. The coordinated efforts of Annas and Caiaphas represent the official Jewish leadership's decisive rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, a theme foreshadowed in earlier chapters where Jesus confronts the religious elite (e.g., [John 5](/john/5 "Jesus Heals on the Sabbath") and [John 9](/john/9 "Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind")). Finally, the detail of Jesus being "sent bound" underscores the theme of **Jesus as a Prisoner and Sacrifice**, aligning Him with Old Testament prophecies of the suffering servant, who would be led "as a lamb to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This verb signifies sending someone out on a specific mission or with a particular purpose. Here, Annas "sent" Jesus, not merely transferred Him, implying a deliberate act of dispatching Him for the formal proceedings before Caiaphas. It conveys a sense of official delegation, despite the underlying illegality of the entire process.
* **bound (Greek, _déō'_):** This participle emphasizes Jesus's physical restraint. It highlights His status as a captive, treated as a common criminal, and underscores the secure and formal nature of His transfer. The detail reinforces the narrative of Jesus being subjected to human power and humiliation, despite His divine authority.
* **high priest (Greek, _archiereús'_):** This term refers to the chief religious official of the Jewish people, responsible for leading the Sanhedrin and presiding over the most sacred rituals, including the Day of Atonement. Caiaphas held this legitimate, albeit politically appointed, office. The designation underscores that Jesus was being sent to the highest religious authority for a formal, albeit unjust, trial.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now Annas had sent him bound":** This clause indicates the completion of Annas's preliminary, informal interrogation and his decision to formally hand Jesus over. The detail "bound" emphasizes Jesus's physical restraint, signifying His status as a prisoner under official custody, reinforcing the narrative of His humiliation and the secure nature of His transfer.
* **"unto Caiaphas the high priest":** This specifies the destination and the recipient of Jesus. Caiaphas was the legitimate, reigning high priest, and the transfer to him meant Jesus was being moved to the official venue for the Sanhedrin's formal trial. This marks the transition from an unofficial inquiry to the official religious court proceedings.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony** and **Symbolism**. The **Irony** lies in the fact that Annas, a former high priest, and Caiaphas, the current high priest, who were supposed to be guardians of God's law and justice, are actively involved in an unjust and irregular proceeding against the very Son of God. Their actions, ostensibly to uphold religious law, fundamentally violate divine justice. The phrase "sent him **bound**" serves as powerful **Symbolism**. Jesus, the one who came to set the captives free and loose the bonds of sin, is Himself bound. This physical restraint symbolizes the spiritual bondage of humanity that Jesus would ultimately break through His sacrifice. It also foreshadows His ultimate submission to the will of God, even unto death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 18:24 underscores the profound theological truth of God's sovereignty even in the face of human injustice and betrayal. The transfer of Jesus from Annas to Caiaphas, though orchestrated by human malice and political maneuvering, was ultimately part of God's predetermined plan for salvation. Jesus's submission to this process, including being "bound," highlights His voluntary obedience to the Father's will, demonstrating His profound love for humanity and His commitment to fulfilling the redemptive purpose. This moment foreshadows the greater sacrifice where the Lamb of God would be led to the slaughter, willingly offering Himself for the sins of the world.

* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant Led to Slaughter")
* [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan")
* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 18:24 invites us to reflect on the nature of justice, power, and divine sovereignty. In a world where truth is often suppressed and righteousness condemned by those in authority, Jesus's experience provides a profound example of unwavering obedience and trust in God's ultimate plan. We are challenged to consider how we respond when we witness or experience injustice. Do we despair, or do we trust that God is at work even in the midst of human corruption and betrayal? This verse reminds us that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human schemes. It calls us to emulate Christ's humble submission and unwavering commitment to truth, even when it leads to suffering. It also prompts us to pray for and work towards justice in our own contexts, remembering that true justice ultimately emanates from God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's quiet submission to being "bound" challenge my understanding of strength and power?**
* **In what ways do I see injustice in the world today, and how does this verse encourage me to respond with faith rather than despair?**
* **What does Jesus's journey through these unjust proceedings teach me about trusting God's plan even when circumstances seem chaotic or unfair?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jesus brought to Annas first, if Caiaphas was the high priest?**

Answer: Jesus was brought to Annas first because, although he was no longer the official high priest, Annas was the father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas, and remained an immensely powerful and influential figure within the Jewish religious establishment. He had served as high priest himself from AD 6 to 15 and had five sons who also held the office. His initial interrogation of Jesus, as described in [John 18:19-23](/john/18-19-23 "Annas's Interrogation of Jesus"), was likely an informal, preliminary hearing designed to gather information or pressure Jesus before the more formal proceedings before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. This sequence highlights the coordinated, albeit irregular, efforts of the Jewish authorities to condemn Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 18:24, depicting Jesus being "sent bound unto Caiaphas the high priest," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Christ. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly submits to being bound and treated as a common criminal, echoing Old Testament prophecies of the suffering servant who would be led "as a lamb to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")). His being bound for the high priest's court anticipates His ultimate binding to the cross, where He would become the perfect sacrifice. Just as the Old Testament high priest would offer sacrifices for the sins of the people, Jesus, the true [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus Our Great High Priest"), offers Himself as the one-time, sufficient sacrifice for all humanity ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). His journey through the unjust legal system, culminating in His crucifixion, demonstrates His perfect obedience to the Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")) and His profound love, ultimately securing freedom from the bonds of sin and death for all who believe in Him ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 18:13

¶ And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

Matthew 26:57

¶ And they that had laid hold on Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.