What does Mark 14:68 mean?
Peter is in a lower courtyard in the home of the high priest in Jerusalem (Mark 14:66). Above, John is watching the Sanhedrin and the high priest question and beat Jesus (Mark 14:53–65). John sends down a servant girl to bring Peter up (John 18:16), but Peter has no intention of identifying himself as associated with Jesus. For one thing, Jesus is being beaten. He appears to be powerless before the council. Peter knows that coming to Jerusalem was a dangerous proposition because of all the threats against Jesus' life (John 11:8, 16). The friendship of the chief priest's household may protect John, but Peter has no such guarantee.Peter has another concern, not involving John, who boldly stands closer to the trial. Moments before, during Jesus' arrest, Peter cut off the ear of one of the high priest's servants (John 18:10). It was difficult to see in the garden of Gethsemane, difficult enough that Judas had to directly approach Jesus to identify Him to the guards. Apparently, it was also too hard to see which of Jesus' followers cut off Malchus' ear, but Peter isn't taking any chances. In fact, Peter uses a Jewish phrase often spoken during trials; this phrase literally means "I do not know or understand what you are talking about."
"Gateway" is from the Greek root word proaulion and means "forecourt" or porch. Archaeologists think they have found the high priest's house. The building is comprised of many different levels, with several courtyards and small rooms. It's unclear where Peter is in relation to John and Jesus, but with the servant girl's identification, he moves further away.