Mark 14:54 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.

NIV: Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

NASB: And Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

CSB: Peter followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants, warming himself by the fire.

NLT: Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.

At the arrest on the Mount of Olives, the disciples scatter (Mark 14:50). Peter and John follow Jesus and the guards to the courtyard of Annas, whose son-in-law, Caiaphas, is the high priest (John 18:12–15). John joins the crowd, as he knows the high priest (John 18:15). The Gospels seem to have contradictory descriptions of where Peter is. Mark and Matthew (Matthew 26:58) say Peter goes into the courtyard, while John says he stays outside, by the gate (John 18:16). Peter probably stays by the gate until the servants make a fire, then he joins them inside (John 18:18). The inclusion of this note in the middle of Jesus' trial indicates that Peter's first denial (Mark 14:66–68) occurs while Annas is questioning Jesus.

John, who knows the high priest (John 18:15), is more specific. First, Jesus is taken to Annas, who had been the high priest for nine years. This is unusual since the office—now controlled by Roman appointment—was supposed to be held for a term of four years. Annas asks Jesus about "his disciples and his teaching" (John 18:19). By law, a man accused of a capital crime can only be convicted upon the testimony of two witnesses or a confession (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Numbers 35:30). Jesus, knowing that Annas wants Him to incriminate Himself, dares Annas to call the witnesses (John 18:19–21).

Unable to get a confession, Annas takes Jesus to Caiaphas, his son-in-law and the current high priest (John 18:19–24). Caiaphas and the assembled Sanhedrin call the witnesses (Mark 14:55–61). Jesus will not respond to the false accusations regarding His teaching, but after being asked directly if He is the Christ, He "confesses" that He is. In response, the Sanhedrin convicts Him of blasphemy (Mark 14:61–64).

Mark 14:53–65 happens immediately after Jesus' arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus will face four separated trials, in multiple segments. The first is with the Sanhedrin, the council that judges if Jews have broken the Mosaic law. The second trial is with Pilate, the Roman governor (Mark 15:1–5). Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who rules over Jesus' home district of Galilee and happens to be in town (Luke 23:6–16). Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate who, at the Sanhedrin's insistence, sentences Jesus to death (Mark 15:6–15). Jesus' interview with the Sanhedrin is also found in Matthew 26:57–68, Luke 22:63–71, and John 18:12–14, 19–24.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.