Matthew 26:69

ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ. In the court. In Oriental houses the street door opens into an entrance hall or passage: this is the ‘porch’ (πυλῶνα) of Matthew 26:71; beyond this is a central court (αὐλή) open to the sky and surrounded by pillars. The reception rooms are usually on the ground floor, and are built round the central court. Probably the hall or room in which Jesus was being tried opened upon the court. Thus Jesus was able to look upon Peter.