When he was a kid what did Caiaphas want to do when he grew up? High Priest is quite a specific job, when did he decide it was for him? How? Does he enjoy his work?
He didn’t necessarily want to be anything in particular. He really idolized his father, who was in politics and his family was of the level of wealth and prestige that it was assumed he would follow in his father’s footsteps to some degree. When his father died, that desire to imitate him became even more solidified. He selected a religious education as well because his faith was strong at the time and because politics and religion were so thoroughly intertwined. There were times it was more difficult than others, but the emphasis on understanding multiple perspectives opened his mind a bit. He also appreciated this suggestion of liberalism in light of what he was slowly discovering about his sexuality. His father’s connections and the fact that he went to good schools helped him succeed in politics and he sort of ended up on the High Priest track by default. He stayed with it because he felt like he could succeed in it, and because he felt like he could do something good through it.
When he was younger, his family’s ties to the Romans meant that, though he took a great deal of pride in his Jewish identity, he pretty much bought the ‘company line’ about how occupation was good for their country and they’re not that oppressed and blah blah. But the longer he was in politics, those doubts that were planted during his Uni days were fueled and grew even more insistent and even though he still maintains friendships with some of the Romans he was close to, he eventually became very soured towards the Romans as a whole, their treatment of the Jews, and the system that forces the Jews to basically make nice or die.
By the time these opinions were becoming more solidified, he had a family to think about and you couldn’t very well leave such a comfortable position and start over. He’d be burning quite a few bridges that way and besides, maybe he’d be able to change things. Of course, time destroyed that particular ambition as well.
As for whether or not he enjoys his work, I think overall the answer is yes. He's become accustomed to and enjoys being visible, to the socialization aspect, and the opportunity to counsel people who need it. There are aspects of it he less enjoys, namely the gorier aspects, but he still considers them a tenant of his faith. He is becoming somewhat fatigued by the job, but not so much that he's ready to give up on it quite yet.
