New Testament: Priests

Annas

Name meaning: "Gracious" (short form of Hananiah)
Approximately 4 references

Former high priest (AD 6–15) who retained influence long after his term ended. Jesus was brought to him first before being sent to his son-in-law Caiaphas (John 18:13–24). Five of his sons would also serve as high priest, making him the patriarch of a dominant priestly dynasty of the era.

Key references: Acts 4:6, John 18:13, John 18:24, Luke 3:2

Caiaphas

Also known as: Joseph Caiaphas
Name meaning: Aramaic, meaning uncertain
Approximately 9 references

High priest (c. AD 18–36) and son-in-law of Annas, Caiaphas presided over the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus. Earlier, when the council debated what to do after the raising of Lazarus, he declared that it was better for one man to die for the people — a prophecy John notes he made without understanding it (John 11:49–52). An ossuary inscribed "Joseph son of Caiaphas" was discovered in Jerusalem in 1990, providing archaeological confirmation of a New Testament figure.

Key references: Acts 4:6, John 11:49, John 18:13, John 18:14, John 18:24, John 18:28, Luke 3:2, Matthew 26:3, Matthew 26:57

Melchizedek

Name meaning: "King of righteousness"
Approximately 8 references

King of Salem and priest of God Most High who blessed Abraham and received a tithe from him (Genesis 14:18–20). He appears in Scripture without genealogy, parentage, or record of death. Hebrews 5–7 builds on this silence to argue that Jesus serves as a priest "after the order of Melchizedek" — a priesthood older and greater than Aaron's, grounded not in lineage but in an eternal, indestructible life.

Key references: Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 5:10, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:1, Hebrews 7:10, Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:15, Hebrews 7:17

Zechariah (NT)

Name meaning: "YHWH remembers"
Approximately 11 references

Priest of the division of Abijah and father of John the Baptist. While serving his rotation in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared and announced that his elderly wife Elizabeth would bear a son. Zechariah doubted the promise and was struck mute; his speech returned only after the child was born and he confirmed in writing that the boy's name was John. His song of praise — the Benedictus (Luke 1:67–79) — is a celebration of God's faithfulness to his covenant with Israel.

Key references: Luke 1:5, Luke 1:12, Luke 1:13, Luke 1:18, Luke 1:21, Luke 1:40, Luke 1:59, Luke 1:67, Luke 3:2, Luke 11:51 (and 1 more)

4 entries. Reference counts are approximate, based on morphological analysis of the Westminster Leningrad Codex (Hebrew) and Open Greek New Testament.