John of Gaash the Sanhedrist
A friend of Joseph of Arimathea who witnessed his marriage to Anne and who is present at the banquet offered for Jesus.[1] A lustful husband, his pathological jealousy drives his wife Anne to file for divorce. Distraught, John rushes, right in the middle of the Sabbath, from his residence in Gaash at Joseph of Arimathea’s home and asks Jesus for help. He grants him a three-month reprieve to get himself together, during which he will limit the power of his demon that drives him to this obsessive concupiscence of the flesh.[2] The reconciliation with his wife will happen since a child, Immanuel, is expected:
"'Because my son, lucky fellow, will not have to struggle to believe, as we had to. He will be brought up in the Messianic times and it will be easy for him to accept the idea'."[3]
Character and appearance
His forehead is broad, slightly receding like that of a mature man. His hair is just beginning to grey, with a thick, square beard.
Apostolic path
Rather favorable to Jesus, he defends him against Felix who attacks him. Later, during the 3rd Passover, he comes to Jesus accompanied by another favorable Pharisee: Eleazar. He increasingly sides with Jesus, even before his peers:
"'They will now hate us…' whispers Joachim. 'That will be an honour for us!' exclaims John, the member of the Sanhedrin."[4]
It is with Eleazar that he is found involved in the plot of Chuza to make Jesus a king.
"I do not reproach you, because I know that you do not want this, spontaneously. It is Deceit, it is the Enemy who is working in you, and you are, without being aware of it, entirely dominated by him."[5]
John’s convictions grow stronger: he is one of those who, during the interrogation of Sidonia the born blind who was healed by Jesus, declares himself a follower of Jesus.[6] This affirmed faith gradually grows: in the company of Eleazar, with whom, it seems, he has become friends, he comes to warn Jesus upon his return from exile that the Sanhedrin has not disarmed against him.[7]
John publicly declines the summons to the trial of Jesus, marking his complete break with the Sanhedrin.[8]
His name
yoHanan - Iohanan - means "the Eternal One has shown Grace, has been favorable".