Peter, following Jesus from a distance, went in even into the courtyard of the High Priest. He was sitting with the servants and warming himself by the fire.
Peter does not go away completely, but he follows Jesus from a distance. Peter’s love for the Lord had not yet died out, yet fear kept him at a distance and weakened his boldness. Sitting in the courtyard of the High Priest and warming himself by the fire with the servants shows that he is entering the setting where his faithfulness will soon be tested. Following from a distance here becomes preparation for denial. When a believer loses closeness to Christ and seeks comfort in the company of His opponents, his soul finds itself in great danger.