"This project had its genesis in a paper delivered at a conference at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Hebrew University in March 2001"--Preface.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Caiaphas in context -- Caiaphas in the New Testament -- Caiaphas in early Christian imagination -- Caiaphas in literature -- Caiaphas on stage -- Caiaphas on screen -- Caiaphas in historiography -- Caiaphas in history -- Face to face with Caiaphas.

"As the Roman-appointed high priest who had a hand in orchestrating Jesus' crucifixion, Caiaphas secured his place in infamy alongside Pontius Pilate. But who was Caiaphas really? Adele Reinhartz offers a thorough reconsideration of Caiaphas in the Gospels and other ancient texts as well as in subsequent visual arts, literature, film, and drama. The portrait that emerges challenges long-held beliefs about this New Testament figure by examining the background of the high priesthood and exploring the relationships among the high priest, the Roman leadership, and the Jewish population. Reinhartz does not seek to exonerate Caiaphas from culpability in the crucifixion, but she does expand our understanding of Caiaphas's complex religious and political roles in biblical literature and his culturally loaded depiction in ongoing Jewish-Christian dialogue."--Publisher description.