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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - John 18:18 - 18:18
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And the servants and officers - the menials and some of the “band” that “took Jesus.” (Also see on Mar 14:54.)
stood there, who had made - “having made.”
a fire of coals, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves - “John alone notices the material (charcoal) of which the fire was made, and the reason for a fire - the coldness of the night” [Webster and Wilkinson]. “Peter went in and sat with the servants to see the end (Mat 26:58), and warmed himself at the fire” (Mar 14:54). These two statements are extremely interesting. His wishing to “see the end,” of issue of these proceedings, was what led him into the palace, for he evidently feared the worst. But once in, the serpent coil is drawn closer; it is a cold night, and why should not he take advantage of the fire as well as others? Besides, in the talk of the crowd about the all-engrossing topic, he may pick up something which he would like to hear. “And as Peter was beneath in the palace” (Mar 14:66). Matthew (Mat 26:69) says, “sat without in the palace.” According to Oriental architecture, and especially in large buildings, as here, the street door - or heavy folding gate through which single persons entered by a wicket kept by a porter - opened by a passage or “porch” (Mar 14:68) into a quadrangular court, here called the “palace” or hall, which was open above, and is frequently paved with flagstones. In the center of this court the “fire” would be kindled (in a brazier). At the upper end of it, probably, was the chamber in which the trial was held, open to the court and not far from the fire (Luk 22:61), but on a higher level; for Mark (Mar 14:66) says the court was “beneath” it. The ascent was, perhaps, by a short flight of steps. This explanation will make the intensely interesting details more intelligible.