Peter was warming himself near the fire in the center of the courtyard ( Mark 14:66-67; Luke 22:55; John 18:18). The servant girl"s words expressed both curiosity and accusation. She referred to Jesus derogatorily as "the Galilean" (cf. Mark 14:67). Residents of Judea, and especially Jerusalem, regarded Galileans as inferior to themselves because Galilee was mainly rural. Evidently several people overheard her comment and may have joined in her questioning. Peter replied with words similar to a formal legal oath. [1][source]