Was the Bible Right?
1st century CE·New Testament·Person

The Caiaphas Ossuary

Scripture: Matthew 26:3, 57; John 18:13–14

The ornately carved limestone ossuary of the Caiaphas family, Israel Museum
The ornately carved limestone ossuary of the Caiaphas family, Israel Museum · Photo: deror_avi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

The claim

Caiaphas is the high priest who presides when Jesus is brought before the council.

What archaeology found

A decorated bone box found in 1990 in a Jerusalem burial cave uncovered during construction and excavated by Zvi Greenhut. It is inscribed 'Yehosef bar Qayafa' (Joseph son of Caiaphas). Josephus gives the high priest's name as Joseph Caiaphas. It is now in the Israel Museum.

Sources

  1. Zvi Greenhut, Burial Cave of the Caiaphas Family, Biblical Archaeology Review 18:5 (1992)
  2. Ronny Reich, Caiaphas Name Inscribed on Bone Boxes, Biblical Archaeology Review 18:5 (1992)

Verdict history

  • SupportedInitial verdict.