Caiaphas was the high priest. He lived near the temple in Jerusalem's upper city. This meeting was not at the usual place or time, so it was urgent and probably secret. The Sanhedrin (the official Jewish council) usually met in the council chamber. The council chamber was located either at the southern end of the court of the Israelites in the temple or on the western edge of the temple hill.
Joseph Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas (see John 18:13). He served as high priest from AD 18 to 36 (John 11:49). He had the longest term of any high priest from Herod's rule until AD 70. They had removed Annas, his father-in-law, from his position but he was still called high priest as well (see Luke 3:2; John 18:13, 19–24).