ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus)
archiereus
high-priest
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 120 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word archiereus refers to the high priest, the leader of Israel’s priestly caste. In the Old Testament Greek translation, it translates titles like “chief priest” or “great priest,” marking the one who held the highest religious office. By the time of the New Testament, this role carried immense political and spiritual weight, as the high priest presided over the Sanhedrin and alone entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the people’s sins.
Historically, the office was restricted to descendants of Aaron and held for life under Mosaic law. However, during the first century, Roman and Herodian rulers frequently appointed and removed high priests for political reasons, leading to a rapid turnover among twenty-eight individuals in just over a century. Consequently, the plural “chief priests” often appears in the Gospels to describe not only the sitting high priest but also former officeholders and members of powerful high-priestly families who retained influence.
The New Testament applies this title to Jesus in Hebrews, presenting him as the ultimate high priest who offers himself once for all. This contrasts sharply with the human high priests, such as Caiaphas, who are depicted in Matthew 26 and Mark 14 as key figures in the trial of Jesus. The term thus bridges the old covenant ritual system and the new covenant reality of Christ’s singular, sufficient sacrifice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The title archiereus points to a figure of immense authority in first-century Judaism. Historically, this was the high priest, the only one permitted to enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the people. In the Gospels, we see human high priests like Caiaphas wielding political power and opposing Jesus, highlighting the gap between religious office and true righteousness.
Yet the New Testament presents a profound shift in Hebrews. Here, Jesus is identified as the ultimate High Priest who does not offer repeated animal sacrifices but gives himself once for all. This means your access to God is not mediated by a falling human system but secured by Christ’s perfect life and death. You do not need to strive for approval through ritual; you rest in the finished work of one who understands human weakness yet remained sinless.
This truth invites deep peace. The barriers that once separated people from the presence of God have been removed. You can approach God with confidence, knowing your High Priest intercedes for you continually. This is not a distant theological concept but a living reality that shapes how you view your own worth and your relationship with the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 120 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- chief priests56×
- high priest34×
- a high priest7×
- the chief priests5×
- high priest.4×
- the high priest3×
- high priest,3×
- chief priests.3×
- high priest;2×
- high priests1×
- high priest?1×
- chief priests;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀρχιερεῖς46×
- ἀρχιερεὺς25×
- ἀρχιερέως11×
- ἀρχιερέων10×
- ἀρχιερέα8×
- ἀρχιερεῦσιν6×
- ἀρχιερέως.2×
- ἀρχιερέως,2×
- ἀρχιερεύς·2×
- ἀρχιερέως.¶1×
- ἀρχιερέων.1×
- ἀρχιερέα.1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 26:63
But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
The high priest Caiaphas demands to know if Jesus is the Christ, inadvertently highlighting the very identity that surpasses his own earthly office.
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Matthew 26:57
Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
Jesus is taken to Caiaphas, showing how the religious leadership rejected the very sacrifice that would fulfill their own ritual system.
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Mark 2:26
How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?”
Jesus references Abiathar the high priest to illustrate that human tradition sometimes misses the heart of God's mercy and provision.
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Matthew 21:23
When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?”
The chief priests challenge Jesus' authority, revealing their inability to recognize the source of his power despite their own high status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a high priest and a regular priest?
Why are there often plural references to chief priests in the Gospels?
How does Jesus relate to the concept of a high priest?
Every Occurrence (120 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 24 verses
Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
Matthew 16:21From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…
Matthew 20:18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they…
Matthew 21:15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in…
Matthew 21:23When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and…
Matthew 21:45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
Matthew 26:3Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high…
Matthew 26:14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
Matthew 26:47While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and…
Matthew 26:51Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high…
Matthew 26:57Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered…
Matthew 26:58But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to…
Matthew 26:59Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him…
Matthew 26:62The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?”
Matthew 26:63But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are…
Matthew 26:65Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold,…
Matthew 27:1Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to…
Matthew 27:3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of…
Matthew 27:6The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the…
Matthew 27:12When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Matthew 27:20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
Matthew 27:41Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,
Matthew 27:62Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered…
Matthew 28:11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all the things that…