Charles Spurgeon 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 was not to be blamed because he followed from a distance, for at first he and John were the only two disciples who followed their captive Master. John went with Jesus into the high priest’s palace and by his influence Peter was also admitted. Attracted by the fire, Peter sat with the servants, a dangerous place for him, as it soon proved. When a servant of Christ by his own choice sits with the servants of the wicked, sin and sorrow swiftly follow.

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

I have heard Peter represented as if he did wrong to follow Christ "afar off." I think he was the bravest of all the apostles, for scarcely one of them followed Christ at all at that time. Afterwards, John reconsidered, and came into the judgment hall.

Peter kept at a distance from his Lord, but he did follow him, and he did go into the high priest's palace. He went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Peter was right enough in following Christ; it was afterward, when the temptation came, that he fell so grievously.