Matthew 26:58

Matthew 26:58. Peter followed afar off. Not out of curiosity, yet like a mere spectator. Such following leads to danger, not to victory.

Unto the court of the high priest. Not the ‘palace' (comp. Matthew 26:3), but the area enclosed by the building (which may not have been a ‘palace ‘). The entrance to this was through the ‘porch' (Matthew 26:71; Mark 14:68). A fire was soon kindled in the court.

Entered in. John (John 18:15-16) tells that he himself, as an acquaintance of the high priest, went in, while Peter stood without; the former procured admission for the latter. The first denial occurred about this time (see next section).

And sat with the officers. Those who had been engaged in the capture (see Matthew 26:47). He remained there for some time, from about midnight to cock crowing (three o'clock).

To see the end. The fire was kindled in the courtyard of the house where Annas lived (according to John), and Mark and Luke, who tell of the examination before Caiaphas, refer to Peter's warming himself there. Annas and Caiaphas therefore probably lived in the same house.