Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 26:71

"And when he was gone out into the porch, another [maid] saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth." — Matthew 26:71 (ASV)

When he was gone out into the porch. The entrances or the small apartment between the outer door and the large hall in the center of the building. See the plan of a house (see Barnes on Matthew 9:2).

Peter was embarrassed and confused by the question; and, to prevent his confusion from attracting notice, he went away from the fire into the porch, where he expected to be unobserved. Yet in vain. By the very movement to avoid detection, he came into contact with another who knew him and repeated the charge. How clearly does it prove that our Lord was omniscient, that all these things were foreseen!

Another maid saw him. Mark simply says that a maid saw him; from Luke, it would appear that a man spoke to him (Luke 22:58). The truth probably is that both occurred.

When he first went out, a maid charged him with being a follower of Jesus. He was probably there for a considerable time. To this charge, he might have been silent, thinking perhaps that he was concealed and that there was no need to deny Jesus then. Yet it is very likely that the charge would be repeated. A man also might have repeated it; and Peter, irritated, provoked, perhaps thinking that he was in danger, then denied his Master the second time. This denial was in a stronger manner and with an oath. While he was in the porch, Mark says, the cock crew; that is, the first crowing, or not far from midnight.