Caiaphas Ossuary
Ornate bone box inscribed 'Yehosef bar Kayafa' from a priestly family tomb
Found 1990 — Zvi Greenhut (Israel Antiquities Authority); inscriptions published by Ronny Reich
Where Peace Forest, North Talpiot, south Jerusalem (Israel)
Dates from 1st century CE (before 70 CE) · Early Roman · High priesthood of Caiaphas (18–36 CE)
Now at Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Names a biblical person Caiaphas ('Yehosef bar Qayafa'; identification widely accepted)
How Caiaphas Ossuary was found
Workers building a water park in the Peace Forest broke into a rock-cut tomb in November 1990. Twelve ossuaries were inside; the most elaborate bore the name 'Yehosef bar Kayafa' twice and held the bones of a man about 60 years old.
What it is
A limestone ossuary about 74 cm long, carved with two large rosettes inside circles and a decorative border — one of the finest known. Aramaic inscriptions on the back and end read 'Yehosef bar Kayafa' (Joseph son of Caiaphas). A coin of Agrippa I (42/43 CE) was found in the skull of a woman in another ossuary.
Why it matters for the Bible
Josephus gives the high priest's full name as Joseph Caiaphas, matching this box. If the identification is right, these are the remains of the high priest who presided at Yeshua's trial. Some scholars read the name 'Qafa' differently or note the plain, unpriestly tomb, so a minority remain cautious. The 2011 'Miriam' ossuary strengthened the link by confirming the family name.
The Hebrew word: ko-HEN ga-DOL
כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל
כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל is pronounced ko-HEN ga-DOL and means high priest (Strong's H3548 + H1419).
People this discovery connects to
- Caiaphas — קַיָּפָא (Ka-YA-fa) — Aramaic Qayyafa, meaning uncertain; Greek Kaiaphas (G2533)
Places
- Jerusalem — יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Ye-roo-shah-LAH-yim) — foundation of peace
Events
Trial of Yeshua before the Sanhedrin · Caiaphas' counsel that one man die for the people (John 11)
Caiaphas Ossuary in Scripture
Matthew 26:3 First mention of Caiaphas in Scripture.
Matthew 26:57 Yeshua is led to 'Caiaphas the high priest' — likely the man whose bones lay in this box.
John 11:49-50 Caiaphas' prophecy that one man should die for the nation.
Questions people ask
What is Caiaphas Ossuary?
A limestone ossuary about 74 cm long, carved with two large rosettes inside circles and a decorative border — one of the finest known. Aramaic inscriptions on the back and end read 'Yehosef bar Kayafa' (Joseph son of Caiaphas). A coin of Agrippa I (42/43 CE) was found in the skull of a woman in another ossuary.
When was Caiaphas Ossuary discovered?
It was found in 1990 by Zvi Greenhut (Israel Antiquities Authority); inscriptions published by Ronny Reich, at Peace Forest, North Talpiot, south Jerusalem.
Where is Caiaphas Ossuary today?
Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Which Bible verses does Caiaphas Ossuary relate to?
Matthew 26:3, Matthew 26:57, John 11:49-50.
Related discoveries
- מַעַזְיָהMiriam Daughter of Yeshua OssuaryLooted ossuary naming 'Miriam daughter of Yeshua son of Caiaphas, priest of Maaziah from Beth Imri'
- כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹלSt Peter in Gallicantu and the 'House of Caiaphas'Mount Zion's Byzantine church, rock-cut cells and the 'sacred pit'
- טָהֳרָהHerodian Quarter and the Palatial MansionWealthy priestly homes of the Upper City with mosaics, frescoes and ritual baths
- יֵשׁוּעַThe Talpiot Tomb ('Jesus Family Tomb')A first-century family tomb with common names that a 2007 film claimed held Yeshua's family
- שַׁעַר נִיקָנוֹרNicanor OssuaryBone box of 'Nicanor of Alexandria who made the gates' of the Temple
- תָּלָהYehohanan's Crucified Heel BoneThe only physical remains of a Roman crucifixion victim from Judea, with the iron nail still in place
Sources
- Greenhut, 'The Caiaphas Tomb in North Talpiyot, Jerusalem', Atiqot 21 (1992); Reich, 'Ossuary Inscriptions from the Caiaphas Tomb', Atiqot 21 (1992)
- Wikipedia: Caiaphas ossuary