High Priest

The title of the chief of the priests in the Temple in Jerusalem. Before the exile the role of chief or high priest was life-long; after the Exile the High Priest was appointed for shorter periods of time but was also the presiding officer of the Sanhedrin. Despite the Gospels' reference to High Priests there was only ever one High Priest at a time but during the time of Jesus there was a family dynasty: Annas and his five sons and one son-in-law Caiaphas. This explains the confusion, while there was technically only one High Priest in office it would have felt as though the whole family were in charge.