Mat 10:27, Luk 12:3 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 27. What I tell you in darkness , etc. That is, in secret , in private , in confidence . The private instructions which I give you while with me, do you proclaim publicly, on the house top . The house top, the flat roof, was a public conspicuous place. See . .

Matthew 10:27

Verse 27. What I tell you in darkness, etc. That is, in secret, in private, in confidence. The private instructions which I give you while with me, do you proclaim publicly, on the house top. The house top, the flat roof, was a public conspicuous place. See 2Sam 16:22. Mt 9:2.

Luke 12:3

Verses 2-9. Mt 10:26. Also Mt 10:27-32.

Verse 3. Shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. Mt 20:27. The custom of making proclamation from the tops or roofs of houses still prevails in the East. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i. p. 51, 52) says:

"At the present day, local governors in country

districts cause their commands thus to be published.

Their proclamations are generally made in the evening,

after the people have returned from their labours in

the field. The public crier ascends the highest

roof at hand, and lifts up his voice in a long-drawn

call upon all faithful subjects to give ear and obey.

He then proceeds to announce, in a set form,

the will of their master, and demand obedience thereto."