Bible Strands
Mark 14:54
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter follows Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard while the chief priests, elders, and scribes assemble to question Him.
The words — μακρὸθεν (makrothen) translates literally as "from afar," describing Peter’s physical separation from Jesus, while ὑπηρετῶν (hypēretōn) denotes the court officers or attendants, not temple guards.
The thread — This scene parallels John 18:18, where servants and officers gather around a charcoal fire, and Matthew 26:3, which notes the council’s assembly in the high priest’s courtyard.
Why it lands — The text records Peter’s physical presence and attempt to blend in with the officers, leaving his internal motives and eventual denial unstated.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 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 26:3 At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
- John 18:15 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.
- 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.”
- 1 Samuel 13:7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear.
- 1 Kings 19:9 There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
- 1 Kings 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
- 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.
- Mark 14:29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”
- Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”