Mark 14:54

Translations

Modern

Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.

Traditional

And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Literal

And Peter followed Him from afar off, as far as to within the court of the high priest. And he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

Latin

Petrus autem a longe secutus est eum usque intro in atrium summi sacerdotis: et sedebat cum ministris ad ignem, et calefaciebat se.

Original

Greek

English

Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.

Notes

Mark 14:53–54

The chief priests, elders, and scribes were not the same as "the whole Sanhedrin" (14:55; 15:1) but they made up a large part of it. Peter followed Jesus into the chief priest’s courtyard, where the Sanhedrin was meeting. This prepares the audience for Peter’s denial of Jesus later in the chapter (14:66–72).

Mark 14:53–65

The account of the trial of Jesus begins immediately after his arrest. Some scholars have questioned whether the Gospel accounts are historically reliable because they differ in some details from the rules found in the Mishnah tractate Sanhedrin. However, several points should be considered.

The Mishnah was written around AD 200, while the Gospel of Mark was written in the late AD 60s, more than 130 years earlier.
The rules in Mishnah Sanhedrin describe what later rabbis believed should happen in such trials. They do not necessarily describe what actually happened.
It is uncertain whether the Sadducees who led the Sanhedrin would have followed the Pharisaic rules found in the Mishnah Sanhedrin (see Acts 23:6–10).
Some rules in the Mishnah Sanhedrin differ from what the Jewish historian Josephus wrote.
Laws were not always followed in practice. Jesus was being tried by a court that had already decided the outcome and only needed a charge to justify the sentence (Mark 14:55).
There is no strong reason to consider the Sanhedrin Mishnah more reliable than the Gospel accounts if the two differ.

Theme notes and profiles

Annas and Caiaphas Simon Peter The Jewish High Council Jesus’ Final Night

Events

Related verses

John 18:18
Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself.
Matthew 26:3
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
John 18:15–16
Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.
John 18:25
Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
Mark 14:29–31
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”
1 Samuel 13:7
Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear.
Luke 22:44
And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
1 Kings 19:13
When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Luke 22:55–56
When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.
Mark 14:67–68
…and saw him warming himself there. She looked at Peter and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.”
1 Kings 19:9
There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Mark 14:38
Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Parallels

Matthew 26:57–68 Luke 22:66–71 John 18:19–24

People

Peter: Apostle of Jesus, leader in the early church

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Crucifixion Gospel Mark, Gospel of Passion Peter, First Letter of

Topics

False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Jesus False Teachers: Against Jesus Fire: Heating Government: Constitutes Jesus, the Christ: Is Betrayed and Apprehended (In the Garden of Gethsemane) Jesus, the Christ: Trial of, Before Caiaphas (In Jerusalem) Peter: Follows Jesus to the High Priest's Palace Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Conspire to Destroy Jesus Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Put on Trial and Condemn Jesus Prisoners: Jesus

Mark 14:54

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