Mark 14:54

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:54

Following afar off. The story of Peter's denial is not omitted by any of the evangelists. They were more anxious for truth than for reputation. They set before us the strongest disciple at his weakest moment without a word of wonder, of blame, or of excuse. Our text indicates the state of mind which led to his fall. He was just beginning his descent to the depths of shame. Because he "followed afar off" he found the door of the house shut against him, cutting him off from John and from his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:54-72

Peter denying Christ. The seeming discrepancies of the accounts by the evangelists of Peter's threefold denial are explained on the ground of their independency of one another, and their making prominent various portions of a lengthened and complex series of actions. "Three denials are mentioned by all the evangelists, and three occasions are distinguished; but on some of these there was more than one speaker, and probably more than one answer." This circumstance was— I. AN EVIDENCE... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 14:53-72

See this fully explained in the notes at Matthew 26:57-75. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 14:53-54

Mark 14:53-54. And they led Jesus away to the high-priest To Annas first, who had been high-priest, and afterward to his son-in-law, Caiaphas, who then sustained the office. And with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes Or the chief persons of the sanhedrim, with their proper officers, convened by Caiaphas on this important occasion. And Peter followed him afar off Though he had at first forsaken Christ, and shifted for himself, as the rest of his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 14:53-72

152. At the high priest’s house (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:12-27)Annas and his son-in-law Caiaphas apparently lived in the same house. Annas had been the previous high priest and, though replaced by Caiaphas, was still well respected and influential. Jesus’ captors took him to Annas first, while Peter and John, who had followed at a distance, waited in the courtyard. By now it was well past midnight and into the early hours of the morning (John 18:12-18; Luke... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Mark 14:54

afar off = from (Greek. apo. App-104 . afar. even = as far as within. palace = court. See note on Matthew 26:3 . he sat = he was sitting, and continued to sit. servants = officers. warmed = was warming. at . Greek. pros. App-104 . fire. Greek. light; put by Figure of speech Metonyony (of Adjunct), App-6 , for fire, because it was the light that led to his recognition, Mark 14:66 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 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.The use of the past perfect tense, "had followed," shows that Mark's account here is retrogressive in part. Having introduced the illegal, all-night convention of the Sanhedrin, he returned to relate Peter's denial earlier that night in the court of the high priest. It is likely that this "court" was the official residence of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 14:54

54. And Peter followed him afar off, even into—or "from afar, even to the interior of." the palace of the high priest—"An oriental house," says ROBINSON, "is usually built around a quadrangular interior court; into which there is a passage (sometimes arched) through the front part of the house, closed next the street by a heavy folding gate, with a smaller wicket for single persons, kept by a porter. The interior court, often paved or flagged, and open to the sky, is the hall, which our... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 14:53-65

The hearing before Caiaphas 14:53-65 (cf. Matthew 26:57-68; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24) read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 14:54

This notation helps the reader understand that Peter was in the high priest’s residence throughout Jesus’ trial there. It prepares us for the account of Peter’s denial (Mark 14:66-72) that happened while the Sanhedrin was examining Jesus. It also helps us appreciate the fact that Peter’s desertion of Jesus was only temporary. The synoptic evangelists did not mention that another disciple accompanied Peter into the courtyard (John 18:15). The officers would have been the temple police since the... read more

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