Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 26:58

"But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end." — Matthew 26:58 (ASV)

Peter followed him from a distance—We find from John’s narrative, which is the most detailed on this point, that it was through him that Peter was able to enter. He sat in the "court" with the "servants" (or better, officers, as in John 18:18) and the slaves, who had lit a charcoal fire in the chill of the early dawn. Female slaves acting as gatekeepers were passing back and forth. The cold night air had taken its toll on the disciple, and weary and chilled, he also drew near the fire to warm himself.

To see the end—There is something particularly suggestive in this account of Peter’s motive. We can believe it was more than a vague curiosity.

His state was a mixture of sorrowful anxiety and reverential sorrow, but it lacked any fervent devotion or prayer for himself or his Master. Instead, there was only the fevered restlessness of uncertain expectation. Consequently, the natural instability of his character was given free rein, with nothing to control it.