What Does “Courtyard” Mean in the Bible?
The open court at the entrance of a temple or a palace.
A detail
- In the Bible: the people prayed in the courtyard while Zechariah offered the incense. In the courtyard of the high priest, Peter denied Jesus.
Today
Many churches in Mexico have a large atrium in front.
Where it appears in the Bible
Luke 1:10; Matthew 26:69; John 18:15
What the Bible says
Luke 1:10
And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.
Matthew 26:69
But Peter sat without in the court: and there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean.
John 18:15
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: RAE, “atrio”