The First Trial of Jesus Christ at Caiaphas’ House

The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (Gallicantu means “cock-crow” in Latin), on Mount Zion, is over the ruins believed to be the site of Caiaphas the high priest’s home (Caiaphas was High Priest from 18 to 36 AD). The identification is strongly supported (but not proved) by archeology. A church existed here during the Byzantine Period (324 to 640 AD) and again during the Crusader Period (1099 to 1291 AD). The current church was built in 1931.

“Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away to Annas first: for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.” John 18:12-13. Annas had been high priest from 7 to 14 AD and was still influential in the Sanhedrin. It is possible, but not certain, that Annas lived on the ground floor and his son-in-law lived on the upper floor of the house. It was common at that time for extended families to live under the same roof. The Gospels tell us that Jesus next appeared in front of Caiaphas.

But first we get the story of Peter. “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple [John]: that was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. … They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.” John 18:15-27.

The trial likely took place on the upper floor. The doors of the balcony may have been open so that those on the palace grounds could witness the trial. They could easily see in as the grounds sloped steeply upwards. Caiaphas and his accomplices having predetermined to have the Lord killed, after the mock trial took Jesus to Pilate. They feared the people too much to do the injustice themselves and much preferred to pawn off the blame to Rome.

We shouldn’t be too harsh on judging Peter. He was human like the rest of us. After the Lord’s resurrection and Peter’s receiving of the Holy Ghost on Pentecost Peter became unmovable in his witness of the Christ; like a Rock (which is what Peter means). He would eventually give his life in Rome for the testimony of Jesus.

Below the palace/home of Caiaphas there is a dungeon prison. It is unlikely the Lord spent any time there. Nevertheless, it is likely that Peter and John were later imprisoned here and testified boldly to the high priest of Jesus (see Acts 4:3-21).