And the servants and officers stood there. — i.e., in the quadrangular court. The “servants” “are the household servants or slaves of the high priest. The officers are the Temple servants. (Comp. Note on John 18:3.)
A fire of coals. — In the Greek this phrase is expressed by one word which occurs again in the New Testament in John 21:9; and in the LXX. in Sir. 11:30; Sir. 11:32; and 4Ma. 9:20. It means a glowing fire. One of the Greek translators (Aquila) uses it in Psalms 119:4 (English version Psalms 120:4 : “coals of juniper” — that is, of the broom plant).
Peter stood with them, and warmed himself: — It is implied that the other disciple had been admitted into the house. As the houses were usually constructed, the court would be visible from the interior. Peter has already been identified as a disciple. To stand aloof would have been to call further attention to himself. He joins the company, therefore, round the fire.