Luke 22:55
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
Original Language Analysis
ἀψάντων
when they had kindled
G681
ἀψάντων
when they had kindled
Strong's:
G681
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, to fasten to, i.e., (specially) to set on fire
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐλῆς
of the hall
G833
αὐλῆς
of the hall
Strong's:
G833
Word #:
7 of 16
a yard (as open to the wind); by implication, a mansion
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συγκαθισάντων
were set down together
G4776
συγκαθισάντων
were set down together
Strong's:
G4776
Word #:
9 of 16
to give (or take) a seat in company with
αὐτῶν,
them
G846
αὐτῶν,
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκάθητο
sat down
G2521
ἐκάθητο
sat down
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
11 of 16
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
13 of 16
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Historical Context
The courtyard (aulē) was typical of wealthy Jerusalem homes—an open-air space with rooms surrounding it. Guards and servants gathered there while their superiors interrogated Jesus inside. John's Gospel notes that John, known to the high priest, gained entrance for Peter (John 18:15-16). Peter's Galilean accent would make him conspicuous among Judean servants. The fire was likely a brazier or pit in the courtyard's center. Spring nights in Jerusalem can reach 40-50°F, making fire necessary.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Peter enter the enemy's courtyard rather than flee or stand outside?
- What does 'sitting in their midst' reveal about the compromise between safety and solidarity?
- How do Christians today sit 'among enemies' trying to hide their faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. The scene sets Peter's denial. The phrase periapsantōn pyr en mesō tēs aulēs kai synkathisantōn (περιαψάντων πῦρ ἐν μέσῳ τῆς αὐλῆς καὶ συγκαθισάντων, 'having kindled fire in middle of courtyard and sitting together') describes a cold night—Passover was in early spring (March/April) when Jerusalem temperatures drop. The fire provided light and warmth, but for Peter it became a spotlight of shame. Ekathēto ho Petros mesos autōn (ἐκάθητο ὁ Πέτρος μέσος αὐτῶν, 'Peter sat in their midst') shows him surrounded by Jesus' enemies—servants, guards, arrest party members.
Peter's position is perilous. He wanted to know Jesus' fate but feared identification with Him. So he infiltrates enemy territory, sitting mesos (μέσος, 'in the midst')—surrounded, trapped. This physical encirclement mirrors spiritual entrapment. Rather than standing outside the door or leaving, Peter tries to blend in—the posture of compromise. The fire's light will expose him (v. 56), just as truth always exposes pretense.