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 — Peter's presence in the courtyard establishes the physical setting for the denial. The at a distance communicates the fear that will produce the denial — close enough to follow but not close enough to identify with. The warming at the fire will be the context for the slave girl's recognition and Peter's three denials.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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