Matthew Chapter 26 · Verse 58

Authorized King James Version

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But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ But G1161
δὲ But
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 22
but, and, etc
Πέτρος Peter G4074
Πέτρος Peter
Strong's: G4074
Word #: 3 of 22
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἠκολούθει followed G190
ἠκολούθει followed
Strong's: G190
Word #: 4 of 22
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 5 of 22
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
ἀπὸ afar off G575
ἀπὸ afar off
Strong's: G575
Word #: 6 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
μακρόθεν G3113
μακρόθεν
Strong's: G3113
Word #: 7 of 22
from a distance or afar
ἕως unto G2193
ἕως unto
Strong's: G2193
Word #: 8 of 22
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐλῆς palace G833
αὐλῆς palace
Strong's: G833
Word #: 10 of 22
a yard (as open to the wind); by implication, a mansion
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερέως the high priest's G749
ἀρχιερέως the high priest's
Strong's: G749
Word #: 12 of 22
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 13 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰσελθὼν went G1525
εἰσελθὼν went
Strong's: G1525
Word #: 14 of 22
to enter (literally or figuratively)
ἔσω in G2080
ἔσω in
Strong's: G2080
Word #: 15 of 22
inside (as preposition or adjective)
ἐκάθητο and sat G2521
ἐκάθητο and sat
Strong's: G2521
Word #: 16 of 22
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
μετὰ with G3326
μετὰ with
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 17 of 22
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπηρετῶν the servants G5257
ὑπηρετῶν the servants
Strong's: G5257
Word #: 19 of 22
an under-oarsman, i.e., (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable)
ἰδεῖν to see G1492
ἰδεῖν to see
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 20 of 22
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 21 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τέλος the end G5056
τέλος the end
Strong's: G5056
Word #: 22 of 22
properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e., (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitel

Analysis & Commentary

But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace (Ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἕως τῆς αὐλῆς τοῦ ἀρχιερέως)—The imperfect ἠκολούθει ('was following') shows continued action—Peter didn't completely abandon Jesus. The phrase ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ('from afar, at a distance') reveals fearful caution. He wanted to know Jesus's fate but not identify with Him. Following 'from afar' characterizes compromised discipleship—close enough to observe but distant enough to deny association. This fulfilled Jesus's prediction (26:34) and set up Peter's denials (vv. 69-75).

And went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end (καὶ εἰσελθὼν ἔσω ἐκάθητο μετὰ τῶν ὑπηρετῶν ἰδεῖν τὸ τέλος)—John 18:15-16 explains 'another disciple' (likely John) knew the high priest and got Peter admitted. Peter sat (κάθημαι, kathēmai) with the ὑπηρέτες (servants, attendants, officers)—warming by their fire (John 18:18), physically comfortable while Jesus suffered. The infinitive ἰδεῖν τὸ τέλος ('to see the end, the outcome') shows Peter's motive: observation, not participation. He wanted to witness events without personal cost—impossible neutrality.

Historical Context

The αὐλή (courtyard) was open-air space within the high priest's house complex. Servants, guards, and staff gathered there, likely warming themselves (it was night, early spring—cold). Archaeological findings show wealthy Jerusalem homes had spacious courtyards with multiple rooms surrounding them. Peter's presence among enemies showed courage (he didn't flee completely) but his denials showed cowardice (he couldn't confess Christ publicly). This mixed state characterizes many disciples—genuine faith combined with fearful compromise.

Questions for Reflection