Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Matthew 26:58 – 60.

Matthew, the disciple, is writing.  The Temple Guards took Jesus to the Jewish High Priest, their highest ranking Jewish leader, respected to a high degree by the Romans.   Matthew focuses on Peter, who followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.  This is the same Peter who declared he would defend Jesus, no matter what just a few hours ago.

As they took Jesus in, Peter abandoned Jesus, a startling development.  No disciple was as adamant about accompanying Jesus through all that is about to happen as Peter!  Where is he now?  He completely lost his courage. He slipped in and sat with the Temple guards, hoping to be unnoticed!  He was successful at hiding, at first!  He no doubt heard what was going on inside where the leaders of the Jews pelted Jesus with one question after the other.   Then they listened to people who witnessed against Jesus.  No one told the truth, evidently.  Maybe that encouraged Peter a bit.

I do not think that Matthew was trying to judge Peter.  He is telling the story of Peter as it unfolded.   It is an amazing story because it reminds us all of such times in our lives, perhaps, low-points.  But the story goes on.  It is a miracle of God Almighty.