What Does “Pontiff” Mean in the Bible?
Office or title
In old Latin and Spanish Bibles, the “pontiff” is the high priest of the Jews, like Caiaphas.
A detail
- Today: the Pope is also called the Supreme Pontiff.
Where it appears in the Bible
Matthew 26:3; Matthew 26:57
What the Bible says
Matthew 26:3
Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas:
Matthew 26:57
But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: RAE, “pontífice”; Matthew 26:3