‘ And Peter had followed him afar off, even within into the courtyard of the high priest, and he was sitting with officials and warming himself before the fire.'
Again we have a typically Marcan interweaving of events. Inside the house were representatives of the Sanhedrin. Out in the courtyard, around which the palace was built, was Peter. Bravely he had followed the arresting party at a distance, and with the help of another disciple who was seemingly related to the high priestly family, had actually been able to enter the courtyard of the high priest's residence (John 18:15). There he was sat before the open fire with officials from the residence, who clearly did not recognise him. There was no reason why they should. They would have had nothing to do with Jesus previously and were probably not of the arresting group. But the picture is of Peter at ease, compromising with Jesus' enemies