54 And Peter had come after him at a distance, even into the house of the high priest; and he was seated with the captains, warming himself in the light of the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for witness against Jesus so that they might put him to death; and they were unable to get any. 56 For a number gave false witness against him and their witness was not in agreement. 57 Then some got up and gave false witness against him, saying, 58 He said in our hearing, I will put an end to this Temple which is made with hands, and in three days I will make another without hands. 59 And even so their witness was not in agreement. 60 And the high priest got up in the middle of them, and said to Jesus, Do you say nothing in answer? what is it which these say against you? 61 But he kept quiet and said nothing. Again the high priest questioning him said, Are you the Christ, the son of the Holy One? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. 63 And the high priest, violently parting his robes, said, What more need have we of witnesses? 64 His words against God have come to your ears: what is your opinion? And they all said it was right for him to be put to death. 65 And some put shame on him and, covering his face, gave him blows and said to him, Now say what is to come: and the captains took him and gave him blows with their hands.
66 And while Peter was down in the open square of the building, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came; 67 And seeing Peter warming himself by the fire, she gave him a look, and said, You were with this Nazarene, even Jesus. 68 But he said, I have no knowledge of him, or of what you are saying: and he went out into the doorway; and there came the cry of a cock. 69 And the girl saw him, and said again to those who were near, This is one of them. 70 But again he said it was not so. And after a little time, again those who were near said to Peter, Truly you are one of them; for you are a Galilaean. 71 But, with curses and oaths, he said, I have no knowledge of the man about whom you are talking. 72 And in the same minute, the cock gave a second cry. And it came to Peter's mind how Jesus had said to him, Before the cock's second cry, you will say three times that you have no knowledge of me. And at this thought he was overcome with weeping.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 14:54-72
Commentary on Mark 14:53-65
(Read Mark 14:53-65)
We have here Christ's condemnation before the great council of the Jews. Peter followed; but the high priest's fire-side was no proper place, nor his servants proper company, for Peter: it was an entrance into temptation. Great diligence was used to procure false witnesses against Jesus, yet their testimony was not equal to the charge of a capital crime, by the utmost stretch of their law. He was asked, Art thou the Son of the Blessed? that is, the Son of God. For the proof of his being the Son of God, he refers to his second coming. In these outrages we have proofs of man's enmity to God, and of God's free and unspeakable love to man.
Commentary on Mark 14:66-72
(Read Mark 14:66-72)
Peter's denying Christ began by keeping at a distance from him. Those that are shy of godliness, are far in the way to deny Christ. Those who think it dangerous to be in company with Christ's disciples, because thence they may be drawn in to suffer for him, will find it much more dangerous to be in company with his enemies, because there they may be drawn in to sin against him. When Christ was admired and flocked after, Peter readily owned him; but will own no relation to him now he is deserted and despised. Yet observe, Peter's repentance was very speedy. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall; and let him that has fallen think of these things, and of his own offences, and return to the Lord with weeping and supplication, seeking forgiveness, and to be raised up by the Holy Spirit.