Matthew 26:58

“But Peter followed him afar off, etc.] The Ethiopic version adds, alone; and which seems to be the true case; for though there was another disciple who also followed Jesus, and is thought to be John, yet it looks as if they followed him separately, and not together; for the other disciple went into the palace with Jesus, but Peter not till afterwards, being espied by his fellow disciple standing without. These two it seems, having a little recovered themselves from the fright they had been put into, stopped and turned back, and followed after Jesus, to see what would be the issue of things. Peter’s following Christ, showed love to him; he was lothe to leave him, his bowels moved towards him,…”

“Peter followed afar off - By this he evinced two things: Real attachment to his Master; a desire to be near him and to witness his trial. Fear respecting his personal safety. He therefore kept so far off as to be out of danger, and yet so near as that he might witness the transactions respecting his Master. Perhaps he expected to be lost and unobserved in the crowd. Many, in this, imitate Peter. They are afraid to follow the Saviour closely. They fear danger, ridicule, or persecution. They “follow him,” but it is at a great distance - so far that it is difficult to discern that they are in the train, and are his friends at all. Religion requires us to be near to Christ. We may measure our…”

“But Peter followed him afar off - Variously agitated by conflicting passions; love constrained him to follow his Master; fear made him follow afar off. And going in, sat with the servants - Unfit companions as the event showed. Matthew 26:60”

“26:58 the high priest’s courtyard: This location suggests an ad hoc meeting of the Sanhedrin at the palace of the high priest (26:3).”

“and went: Joh 18:15, Joh 18:16, Joh 18:25 Matthew 26:59”