Informational note
An ossuary is a hollow box, usually carved from stone, which stored human bones (Latin: ossis) and was placed in a tomb.
The Ossuary
That Joseph Caiaphas was a real person who acted as high priest in Jerusalem from about AD 18 to 36, and is attested to by the Gospels, the book of Acts, and the Jewish historian Josephus. Josephus relates that Caiaphas was appointed by the Roman prefect Valerius Gratus, and continued his tenure through the time of Pontius Pilate. Inscriptions and other archaeological evidence indicate that the Caiaphas family was of priestly lineage of Ma’aziah, a priest from the tribe of Levi who was appointed during the time of David. Ma’aziah and his descendants were one of 24 priestly families who performed their religious duties in the Jerusalem temple during ancient times, and continued to be part of the priesthood for centuries (1 Chronicles 24:18; Nehemiah 10:8).
Even more remarkable evidence regarding the high priest Caiaphas himself was recovered from a 1st-century AD tomb outside of ancient Jerusalem. This tomb contained twelve ossuaries, two which have the family name “Caiaphas” inscribed on them.
One highly ornate ossuary is of particular interest. It had a 1st century AD Aramaic inscription reading Yehosef bar Qayafa (“Joseph, son of Caiaphas”). Incidentally, this aligns perfectly with the New Testament Greek spelling of the family name Kaiafa.
Skeletal remains of six different individuals were discovered inside this ornate ossuary. One is of a man about 60 years old, likely the bones of the high priest Caiaphas. There are several reasons for this conclusion:
- The name, location, and decorative quality of the ossuary indicate that it was a burial box used for a wealthy and prominent Jerusalem citizen with the family name Caiaphas;
- The date of Caiaphas’ burial is before AD 70, after which time ossuaries ceased to appear in Jerusalem;
- It must be from AD 43 or later, because an AD 43 coin of Herod Agrippa I found in the skull of one of the skeletons.
Summary
Since Caiaphas served as high priest until he was replaced in AD 36 with Jonathan son of Ananus, this chronology fits the time frame for when this high priest likely died.
