# Chief Priest
The chief priests were Jewish religious leaders during the time that Jesus lived on earth. The chief priests were responsible for everything needed for the worship at the temple. They were also in charge of the money that people gave at the temple. The chief priests were able to lead and influence people more than the ordinary priests could. The high priest was able to lead and influence people more than the chief priests could. Many of the chief priests were enemies of Jesus. They worked with other Jewish leaders to have Jesus killed (see: Matthew 26:59; 27:1, 20; Mark 8:31).

See: Priest (Priesthood); Temple; High Priest; Pharisees; Sadducees; Scribe; Jewish Council (Sanhedrin)

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Some scholars think that in the Old Testament, the “chief priest” was the same person as the “high priest” (see: 2 Kings 25:18; 2 Chronicles 24:6; 26:20). Other scholars think that in the Old Testament, the “chief priest” and the “high priest” were not the same person. Scholars agree that in the New Testament the “chief priest” and the “high priest” were not the same person.

See: Old Testament (Law and Prophets); New Testament