The high priesthood was corrupt, not following the law of God set forth in the first five books of the Bible. There were two high priests. (John 18:19, 22, 24) This was unlawful. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Annas was the first and true high priest. However, he had a political problem with the Romans. So the Romans removed him as high priest. His son-in-law was then made the high priest in his place. Family ties were used to get seats of authority. (John 13, 14, Acts 3)
The time for the average person in the Roman Empire and Palestine was evil and dark. The people were hard worked and under appreciated. The word of God was distorted by the religious leaders for their own selfish gain. People could go high and low and not find physical or spiritual rest.
This is the time that the Word of God came to John the Baptist. John’s parents had been priests. So John the Baptist was a priest by birthright. Yet, he did not stay in Jerusalem to practice his ministry as would have been expected. Perhaps he was cast out. Most definitely he obeyed the word of God given to his parents found in the Old Testament. He lived in the desert with little comfort and no wealth. Obeying God’s call can mean we are sent to do the undesired and unexpected. God does not promise prosperity for many of his people.
