18:13a

They brought Him: The verb brought here means “led.” It indicates that the guards forced Jesus to go where they wanted him to go. For example:

First they led him (English Standard Version)
-or-
and brought him first (New International Version)

They: This pronoun refers to the men who arrested Jesus.

first: This word indicates that the guards took Jesus to Annas before any other place. Later, they took him to the other authorities, Caiaphas and the Roman governor Pilate.

Annas: Annas had been the Jewish high priest for 15 years. However, the Roman government removed him from that job and appointed his son-in-law Caiaphas in his place. The Jews still respected Annas because they believed that their high priest should be high priest all his life. And he had much power and influence as the oldest man in the high priest’s family.

18:13b

who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas is more literally “because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas.” This clause gives more information about Annas which explains why the guards took Jesus to him. In some languages it is more natural to make this a separate sentence. For example:

Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas.

father-in-law: This term here indicates that Caiaphas was married to Annas’ daughter.

the high priest that year: This phrase gives more information about Caiaphas, first mentioned in 11:49. See the note in 11:49 , and how you translated this phrase there. In some languages it is more natural to make this a separate sentence. For example:

Caiaphas was the high priest at that time.

the high priest: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as high priest refers to the most important of all the Jewish priests. He was the leader or chief of those who offered sacrifices to God in the Temple. In Jesus’ time, the high priest was also a political figure, the most important Jewish leader and judge. He was also the head of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council with the most authority. See how you translated this term in 11:49. See also Priest, High Priest, Chief Priests, sense 2, the High Priest.

that year: The phrase that year here means “at that time.” Caiaphas was the high priest for several years, not just that one year. See the note on 11:49.

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