Who is Caiaphas from Life of Christ and what is their importance?

Caiaphas was the high priest during Jesus' ministry, as well as a central figure in Jesus' execution. A worldly man, Caiaphas believed that political freedom from Rome was more important than the fulfillment of the spiritual promises of the Old Testament. If the people made Christ king, the Romans might respond with military force. Thus, Caiaphas argued that Christ had to be put to death to save the nation.