4:6a
along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander:
This verse in Greek just lists the names: “and Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander.” But these people were some of the rulers (4:5). The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as along with can also mean “namely” or “that is.”
high priest: The high priest was the leader of all the Jewish priests. In New Testament times, he was also the leader of the Jewish supreme court. He was the chief judge and had great power and influence. All Jewish priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people, but the high priest offered certain special sacrifices that no other priest could offer. In a special way, he represented the Jewish people to God. Here are some other ways to translate high priest:
the chief/leader of all the priests
-or-
the main/principal priest
-or-
the highest/leading priest
John: This John is a different person than the disciple named John.
4:6b
and many others from the high priest’s family: This phrase probably indicates that Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men were all related to Annas. (John 18:13 tells us that Caiaphas was actually Annas’ son-in-law.) Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the other men who were Annas’ relatives
-or-
the other relatives of the Big Priest
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