A Jew, stated by St. Luke to have been high priest, as was Caiaphas, in the year when John the Baptist began his ministry (Luke III. 2), it is thought about 26 A.D.  He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, when our Lord was crucified, and though Caiaphas was the high priest, yet Annas was so important a personage that it was to him Jesus was taken first on His arrest (John xviii. 13).  After examining his prisoner, Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas (24).  When Peter and John were subsequently arrested, Annas was again called by St. Luke the high priest (Acts iv. 6).  Annas is named by Josephus Ananus, which is nearer the Hebrew Hananiah than Annas is (see etymology).  He was appointed about A.D. 8, by Quirinius [CYRENIUS], and deposed by Valerius Gratus about A.D. 19.  Caiaphas was the real high priest from about A.D. 26.  It was, therefore, by courtesy, rather than of right, that Annas received the title (Joseph. Antiq. XVIII. ii. § 1, 2). [CAIAPHAS.] (The Sunday School Teacher's Bible Manual, Hunter, 1894).