Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 14:54

"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]." — Mark 14:54 (ASV)

This verse, interrupting the flow of the narrative, prepares us for the full account of Peter’s denial (vv.66–72) and indicates that the trial and denial were concurrent. Peter followed at a distance because he was afraid, but he did follow. Apparently he could not bring himself to desert Jesus completely. Eventually he arrived at the high priest’s palace. John’s gospel informs us that there was “another disciple” with Peter (see comment on Jn 18:15–16). The palace was built around an open courtyard that was entered through an archway (cf. v.68). Spring nights are cool in Jerusalem, so Peter sat with the guards and warmed himself before a charcoal fire (cf. Jn 18:18). From where he was sitting, he could see the upstairs room where the Sanhedrin was meeting to decide Jesus’ fate.