22:55a–b

In Greek, 22:55a begins with a common conjunction that can be translated as “and” or “then.” The New International Version translated this word as “But” (the New International Version (2011) says “And”). Many English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate it. Connect the verse to 22:54 in a natural way in your language.

This verse indicates that the crowd that arrested Jesus arrived with him at the high priest’s house. In some languages it is necessary to make this information explicit. For example:

But ⌊when they arrived⌋

When those present had kindled a fire: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as those present had kindled a fire is literally “and kindling a fire.” It refers to a small fire that people could sit around and warm themselves. (The parallel passage in Mark 14:54 makes this clear.) Probably some of the people in the crowd who arrested Jesus made the fire. However, in Greek, the text does not make that explicit. Some ways to translate the action are:

A fire had been lit (Good News Translation)
-or-
Some men had lit a fire (God’s Word)
-or-
The guards lit a fire (New Living Translation (2004))

The reason why they lit a fire was so that people could warm themselves. It was April and the nights were cold. In some languages people may think of a different reason. If this is true in your language, it may be helpful to indicate the implied reason. For example:

they had kindled a fire ⌊for warmth⌋

in the middle of the courtyard: A courtyard is an open area that is surrounded by rooms or high walls. In this context the courtyard was part of the high priest’s house. It had walls around it but no roof. The phrase middle of the courtyard refers to the central part of the open area. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in the center of the courtyard (Good News Translation)
-or-
in the middle of the yard

In some languages it may not be necessary to specify that the fire was in the middle part of the courtyard. This information may already be implied. For example:

in the open area of the compound
-or-
in the yard of the house

22:55b

and sat down together: The people who had come from arresting Jesus sat with each other around the fire. Some ways to translate this action are:

As they sat together (God’s Word)
-or-
and were sitting around it (Contemporary English Version)

22:55c

Peter sat down among them: Peter sat with the other people near the fire so that he too could warm himself. Some other ways to translate this are:

Peter sat there with them (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Peter sat among them (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Peter joined them there (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 22:55a–c

In some languages it may be more natural to change the order of clauses in this verse. For example:

55aA fire had been lit in the center of the courtyard, 55cand Peter joined 55bthose who were sitting around it. (Good News Translation)

Notice that the Good News Translation uses a passive verb in the first clause. This is a good way to put the focus on making the fire, rather than on who made it.

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