Mark 14:54
New International Version
Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

New Living Translation
Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

English Standard Version
And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.

Berean Standard Bible
Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.

Berean Literal Bible
And Peter followed Him from afar off, as far as to within the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

King James Bible
And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

New King James Version
But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.

New American Standard Bible
And Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

NASB 1995
Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

NASB 1977
And Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself at the fire.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

Amplified Bible
Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers [guards and servants] and warming himself at the fire.

Christian Standard Bible
Peter followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants, warming himself by the fire.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police, warming himself by the fire.

American Standard Version
And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.

Contemporary English Version
Peter had followed at a distance, and when he reached the courtyard of the high priest's house, he sat down with the guards to warm himself beside a fire.

English Revised Version
And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Peter followed him at a distance and went into the chief priest's courtyard. He sat with the guards and warmed himself facing the glow of a fire.

Good News Translation
Peter followed from a distance and went into the courtyard of the High Priest's house. There he sat down with the guards, keeping himself warm by the fire.

International Standard Version
Peter followed Jesus at a distance as far as the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the servants and warming himself at the fire.

Majority Standard Bible
Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.

NET Bible
And Peter had followed him from a distance, up to the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the guards and warming himself by the fire.

New Heart English Bible
Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Peter followed him at a distance, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Weymouth New Testament
Peter followed Jesus at a distance, as far as the outer court of the High Priest's palace. But there he remained sitting among the officers, and warming himself by the fire.

World English Bible
Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Peter followed Him far off, to the inside of the hall of the chief priest, and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself near the fire.

Berean Literal Bible
And Peter followed Him from afar off, as far as to within the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

Young's Literal Translation
and Peter afar off did follow him, to the inside of the hall of the chief priest, and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself near the fire.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Peter followed him from far, even to within the court-yard of the chief priest: and he was sitting with the attendants, and warming himself near the light.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Peter followed him from afar off, even into the court of the high priest; and he sat with the servants at the fire, and warmed himself.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Peter followed him from a distance, even into the court of the high priest. And he sat with the servants at the fire and warmed himself.

New American Bible
Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.

New Revised Standard Version
Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Simon followed him afar off, up to the courtyard of the high priest; and he sat with the servants, warming himself before the fire.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Shimeon was coming from a distance after him until within the courtyard of The High Priests, and he sat down with the servants and warmed himself near the fire.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Peter followed him, at a distance, even into the palace of the chief priest, and sat with the attendants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Godbey New Testament
And Peter followed Him a long way off, even into the court of the high priest; and was sitting with the officers, and warming at the fire.

Haweis New Testament
And Peter followed him at a distance, until he came into the palace of the high-priest: and was seated with the servants, and warming himself at the fire.

Mace New Testament
Peter followed at a distance, even into the palace of the high priest: where he sat down among the servants to warm himself at the fire.

Weymouth New Testament
Peter followed Jesus at a distance, as far as the outer court of the High Priest's palace. But there he remained sitting among the officers, and warming himself by the fire.

Worrell New Testament
And Peter followed Him afar off, even within into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the attendants, and he was warming himself at the light of the fire.

Worsley New Testament
And Peter followed Him at a distance, even into the palace of the high priest: and sat down among the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
53They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled. 54 Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire. 55Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.…

Cross References
Matthew 26:58
But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

Luke 22:54
Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.

John 18:15-16
Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. / But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

John 18:18
Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself.

Matthew 26:69-70
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. / But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

Luke 22:55-56
When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. / A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said.

John 18:25
Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

Matthew 26:71-72
When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” / And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”

Luke 22:57-58
But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said. / A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

John 18:26-27
One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” / Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Matthew 26:73-74
After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” / At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

Luke 22:59-60
About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.” / “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:61-62
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” / And he went outside and wept bitterly.

John 18:17
At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered.


Treasury of Scripture

And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Peter.

Mark 14:29-31,38
But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I…

1 Samuel 13:7
And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Matthew 26:58
But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

even.

John 18:15,16
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest…

and he.

1 Kings 19:9,13
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? …

Luke 22:55,56
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them…

John 18:18,25
And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself…

and warmed.

Luke 22:44
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

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Afar Captains Chief Court Distance Far Fire Follow Followed Guards Hall High House Inside Jesus Light Officers Outer Palace Peter Priest Priest's Right Sat Seated Servants Sitting Warmed Warming Within
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Afar Captains Chief Court Distance Far Fire Follow Followed Guards Hall High House Inside Jesus Light Officers Outer Palace Peter Priest Priest's Right Sat Seated Servants Sitting Warmed Warming Within
Mark 14
1. A conspiracy against Jesus.
3. Expensive perfume is poured on his head by a woman.
10. Judas sells his Master for money.
12. Jesus himself foretells how he will be betrayed by one of his disciples;
22. after the passover prepared, and eaten, institutes his last supper;
26. declares beforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter's denial.
43. Judas betrays him with a kiss.
46. Jesus is apprehended in the garden;
53. falsely accused and impiously condemned of the council;
65. shamefully abused by them;
66. and thrice denied by Peter.














Peter followed Him at a distance
Peter's following at a distance signifies both his loyalty and fear. This act reflects his internal conflict, as he desires to stay close to Jesus but is also afraid of being associated with Him. This distance can symbolize the spiritual distance that can occur when fear and doubt overshadow faith. In the broader biblical narrative, Peter's actions fulfill Jesus' earlier prediction that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crows (Mark 14:30). This moment is a precursor to Peter's eventual denial, highlighting human weakness and the need for divine grace.

right into the courtyard of the high priest
The high priest's courtyard was part of a larger complex where the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, would meet. This setting is significant as it places Peter in the heart of the opposition against Jesus. The high priest at the time was Caiaphas, and his residence would have been a place of authority and power. Archaeological findings suggest that such courtyards were open spaces surrounded by rooms, allowing for gatherings and trials. This location underscores the gravity of the situation, as Jesus is being tried by the religious leaders of His day.

And he sat with the officers
The officers mentioned here are likely the temple guards or servants of the high priest. By sitting with them, Peter is attempting to blend in and avoid drawing attention to himself. This act of sitting with the officers can be seen as a compromise, as Peter is physically close to those who are hostile to Jesus. This moment foreshadows Peter's denial, as he is aligning himself with those who oppose Christ, albeit out of fear and self-preservation.

and warmed himself by the fire
The fire serves as a literal source of warmth in the cold night, but it also symbolizes Peter's attempt to find comfort and safety in a hostile environment. This act of warming himself is a poignant image of Peter's vulnerability and humanity. In a spiritual sense, the fire can represent the trials and temptations that test one's faith. Peter's presence by the fire is a moment of weakness that leads to his eventual denial of Jesus, illustrating the struggle between faithfulness and fear. This scene is a reminder of the need for vigilance and reliance on God's strength in times of trial.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples, known for his boldness and later for his denial of Jesus. In this verse, he is following Jesus after His arrest.

2. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, who has just been arrested and is being taken to the high priest's house for trial.

3. High Priest's Courtyard
The location where Jesus is taken after His arrest. It is a place of judgment and significant events leading to the crucifixion.

4. Officers
These are the temple guards or servants who are present in the courtyard, likely involved in the arrest and trial of Jesus.

5. Fire
A literal source of warmth, but symbolically, it represents the comfort Peter seeks while distancing himself from Jesus.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Distance
Peter followed Jesus "at a distance," which can symbolize a spiritual distancing. As believers, we must be cautious of allowing fear or uncertainty to create distance between us and Christ.

Seeking Comfort in the Wrong Places
Peter warmed himself by the fire, a temporary comfort. This can remind us to seek our ultimate comfort and security in Christ, not in worldly or temporary solutions.

Courage in the Face of Fear
Peter's actions reflect a struggle between fear and faith. We are called to stand firm in our faith, even when it is challenging or when we face opposition.

The Importance of Fellowship
Peter was isolated from the other disciples, which may have contributed to his vulnerability. This highlights the importance of Christian fellowship and support in maintaining our faith.

Repentance and Restoration
Although Peter denied Jesus, he later repented and was restored. This teaches us about the grace and forgiveness available through Christ, no matter our failures.(54) Sat . . . and warmed himself.--Better, was sitting and warming himself.

With the servants.--Better, with the officers.

At the fire.--Literally, at the light; the word bringing out very vividly the effect of the glare of the charcoal fire on St. Peter's face,

Verse 54. - And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court (εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν) of the high priest. This court was the place where the guards and servants of the high priest were assembled. Our Lord was within, in a large room, being arraigned before the council. St. John informs us (John 18:15) that he himself, being known to the high priest, had gone in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; and that he had been the means of bringing in Peter, who had been standing outside at the door leading into the court. We now see Peter among the servants, crouching over the fire. The weather was cold, for it was early springtime; and it was now after midnight. Peter was warming himself in the light of the fire (πρὸς τὸ φῶς), and so his features were clearly seen in the glow of the brightly burning charcoal.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Peter
Πέτρος (Petros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.

followed
ἠκολούθησεν (ēkolouthēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 190: To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.

Him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

at
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

a distance,
μακρόθεν (makrothen)
Adverb
Strong's 3113: From a (long) distance, afar. Adverb from makros; from a distance or afar.

right
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

into
ἔσω (esō)
Adverb
Strong's 2080: Within, inside, with verbs either of rest or of motion; prep: within, to within, inside. From eis; inside.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

courtyard
αὐλὴν (aulēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 833: From the same as aer; a yard; by implication, a mansion.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

high priest.
ἀρχιερέως (archiereōs)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he sat
συνκαθήμενος (synkathēmenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4775: To sit with. From sun and kathemai; to seat oneself in company with.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

officers
ὑπηρετῶν (hypēretōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5257: From hupo and a derivative of eresso; an under-oarsman, i.e. subordinate.

to warm himself
θερμαινόμενος (thermainomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2328: To warm; mid: I warm myself. From therme; to heat.

by
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fire.
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.


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