The Caiaphas Ossuary

In late 1990, a bulldozer in Jerusalem tore open the roof of an ancient burial cave. Inside was a bone box bearing a name from the Gospels.

Scripture: Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

In Matthew, Jesus is brought before Caiaphas, called the high priest. The verses around it describe a council seeking testimony against him.

Construction workers found it in the Peace Forest, near the North Talpiot neighbourhood. The source gives November in one place and December in another. The site superintendent reported it to the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Six of the twelve had been disturbed by grave robbers. One was different: highly decorated, with detailed etching and traces of bright orange paint.

That box held the bones of two infants, two teenage boys, an adult woman, and a man of about sixty.

Scripture: Etched on the long side is Yehosef bar Qayafa: Joseph, son of Caiaphas. The narrow side gives a shorter spelling, Qafa.

It has been suggested that this Joseph was a son of Caiaphas the high priest. The New York Times and a number of scholars call it, if authentic, an important confirmation of the New Testament account.

The box never mentions Jesus, so the link is indirect. Some scholars also challenge the identification, citing the spelling, the missing title, and the tomb's plainness.

In 2011 a looted ossuary from the Valley of Elah was declared authentic by the Israel Antiquities Authority. It names Miriam, daughter of Yeshua, son of Caiaphas, priest of Ma'aziah.

So a name from Matthew's account may appear on a box in a Jerusalem museum, though the identification remains debated. May the Lord Jesus Christ be with you today. Follow Bible Evidence for more.