When Simon had held the high priesthood for one year Valerius Gratus appointed Joseph as his successor in that office.
When Simon had held the high priesthood for one year Valerius Gratus appointed Joseph as his successor in that office. He was surnamed Caiphas, the son-in-law of Annas or Ananus who was formerly removed from the priesthood. (JHN 18:13) After the annual changes of the high priest were completed, Gratus returned to Rome after he had been eleven years in Judea. {Josephus, Antiq., 1. 18. c. 3. <c. 2. 1:478>} By this action, we are rather inclined to refer these changes to the end of his government than to the beginning.