Matthew 26:69

Verse 69. Now Peter sat without in the palace. Mark says, the first denial took place while Peter was "beneath in the palace." This palace was the large hall or court belonging to the residence of the high priest. The part of it where Jesus and the council were was elevated, probably, above the rest, for a tribunal. Peter was beneath, or in the lower part of the hall, with the servants, at the fire. Yet, as Matthew says, he sat without in the palace--i.e., out of the palace where they were trying Jesus--to wit, in the lower part of the hall with the servants--both narratives are therefore consistent. And a damsel came unto him. Joh 18:17 says, that this damsel was one that kept the door.