Matthew 10:27

KJV

What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.

KJV (with Strong's)

What {G3739} I tell {G3004} you {G5213} in {G1722} darkness {G4653}, that speak ye {G2036} in {G1722} light {G5457}: and {G2532} what {G3739} ye hear {G191} in {G1519} the ear {G3775}, that preach ye {G2784} upon {G1909} the housetops {G1430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.

Berean Standard Bible

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.

American Standard Version

What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 10:27 encapsulates a foundational mandate from Jesus to His disciples, instructing them to publicly and fearlessly proclaim the truths they have received privately. This verse, situated within Jesus' charge to the twelve before their first missionary journey, emphasizes that the divine revelation, initially imparted in intimate settings or under veiled conditions, is ultimately intended for widespread, unreserved declaration from the most visible platforms, symbolizing an urgent and universal dissemination of the Gospel message without compromise or fear of opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of Jesus' comprehensive discourse to the twelve apostles in Matthew 10, as He commissions them for their inaugural mission. The chapter begins with Jesus granting them authority over unclean spirits and diseases [Matthew 10:1](/matthew/10-1 "Matthew 10:1 - Commissioning the Twelve"). Following this, He provides detailed instructions regarding their conduct, the message they are to preach, and the challenges they will inevitably face. Verses [Matthew 10:16-25](/matthew/10-16-25 "Matthew 10:16-25 - Warnings of Persecution") specifically warn of persecution, betrayal, and hatred for His name's sake. It is directly after these sobering warnings, and immediately preceding the exhortation not to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Not Man"), that [Matthew 10:27](/matthew/10-27 "Matthew 10:27 - Proclaim What You Hear") appears. This placement highlights the imperative for bold proclamation *in spite of* anticipated opposition, linking courage directly to the mission. The contrast between "darkness" and "light," and "in the ear" and "upon the housetops," serves as a powerful rhetorical device emphasizing the transition from private instruction to public declaration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite and Greco-Roman homes often featured flat roofs, which served as practical extensions of the living space. These rooftops were used for various activities: drying flax [Joshua 2:6](/joshua/2-6 "Joshua 2:6 - Rahab Hides Spies"), sleeping in hot weather [2 Samuel 11:2](/2_samuel/11-2 "2 Samuel 11:2 - David Sees Bathsheba"), or even for public mourning or worship [Isaiah 15:3](/isaiah/15-3 "Isaiah 15:3 - Moab's Lament"). Crucially, they also served as elevated platforms from which announcements could be made to the community below, ensuring maximum audibility and visibility. To "preach upon the housetops" was a vivid idiom for public, open, and widespread proclamation, akin to shouting from a megaphone today. The "darkness" and "in the ear" refer to the intimate, often clandestine, or discreet nature of Jesus' initial teachings to His disciples, perhaps due to the early stages of His ministry, the need for foundational understanding, or the political sensitivities of the time. This cultural backdrop underscores the radical shift Jesus demands: from whispered truth to shouted truth.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 10:27](/matthew/10-27 "Matthew 10:27 - Proclaim What You Hear") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Public Proclamation of the Gospel**. Jesus' command is a clear directive for His followers to move beyond private understanding to active, open evangelism. This aligns with the ultimate call to make disciples of all nations found in the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Fearless Witness**. Despite the warnings of persecution in the preceding verses, Jesus calls for an unwavering courage that prioritizes obedience to God over fear of human consequences. This echoes the boldness displayed by the early apostles in [Acts 4:29-31](/acts/4-29-31 "Acts 4:29-31 - Prayer for Boldness"). Lastly, the verse underscores the **Urgency and Universality of the Message**. The imagery of "light" and "housetops" implies that the truth of the Kingdom of God is not meant for a select few but for all humanity, demanding a swift and comprehensive dissemination.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **darkness (Greek, _skotía_):** From _skotos_, meaning "dimness, obscurity," used literally or figuratively. In this context, it signifies a state of concealment, privacy, or limited understanding, contrasting with the open "light" of public proclamation. It refers to the initial, perhaps veiled or intimate, instruction Jesus gave to His disciples.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō_):** A primary verb meaning "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, to understand, or to be reported. Here, it denotes the act of receiving instruction or revelation, particularly in a personal or private manner, emphasizing the disciples' role as recipients of divine truth.
* **preach (Greek, _kērýssō_):** Of uncertain affinity, meaning "to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)." This word carries the weight of official, authoritative proclamation. It's not merely speaking, but announcing a message with authority and public intent, specifically referring to the declaration of the good news of the Kingdom of God.
* **housetops (Greek, _dōma_):** Properly, an edifice, specifically a roof. In the cultural context, it refers to the flat roofs of houses in ancient Israel, which were used as elevated platforms for public announcements. This term vividly illustrates the concept of open, visible, and widespread declaration to the entire community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light:"** This clause establishes a foundational principle of Christian discipleship and mission. "What I tell you in darkness" refers to the intimate, perhaps veiled, or initially private teachings Jesus imparted to His disciples. The "darkness" symbolizes a setting of limited access, privacy, or even a period of spiritual obscurity before the full revelation. "That speak ye in light" serves as the imperative command. "Light" here represents public visibility, openness, and clarity. The instruction is to transition the privately received truth into openly declared truth, making it accessible and understandable to all, dispelling any previous obscurity.
* **"and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."** This parallel clause reinforces and expands upon the first, using a vivid cultural idiom. "What ye hear in the ear" again points to intimate, whispered, or direct personal instruction, emphasizing the personal reception of the message. "That preach ye upon the housetops" commands a public, unreserved, and widespread proclamation. As noted in the cultural context, "housetops" were the most visible and audible platforms for public announcements, signifying that the message is to be declared with maximum reach and impact, without fear or reservation, to the entire community.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 10:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Parallelism** is evident in the two balanced clauses: "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light" and "what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." This structural repetition emphasizes and reinforces the core command. **Antithesis** is powerfully used through contrasting pairs: "darkness" versus "light" and "in the ear" versus "upon the housetops." These stark oppositions highlight the radical shift Jesus demands from private reception to public proclamation. The phrase "preach ye upon the housetops" is a vivid **Metonymy** and **Cultural Idiom**, where the "housetops" stand in for the act of public, widespread, and open declaration. It is also a form of **Hyperbole**, suggesting an exaggerated level of public exposure to underscore the importance and urgency of the message. Together, these devices create a memorable and forceful command, compelling the disciples to fearless and widespread evangelism.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 10:27 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine revelation and its intended dissemination. It establishes that the truths of God's Kingdom, initially entrusted to a select few, are not to be hoarded or kept secret, but are inherently public and transformative. This mandate underscores the missionary impulse inherent in the Gospel itself, demanding that those who have received the light must become conduits of that light to a world still in spiritual darkness. The imperative to "speak in light" and "preach upon the housetops" signifies a transition from the preparatory phase of discipleship to the active, courageous proclamation of God's redemptive plan, regardless of the personal cost. This divine commission ensures that the message of salvation reaches the widest possible audience, fulfilling God's universal redemptive purpose.

* [Luke 12:3](/luke/12-3 "Luke 12:3 - Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed")
* [Acts 5:20](/acts/5-20 "Acts 5:20 - Speak All the Words of This Life")
* [Romans 10:14-15](/romans/10-14-15 "Romans 10:14-15 - How Can They Hear Without a Preacher?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 10:27 serves as a timeless call to every believer to boldly and unreservedly proclaim the truth of the Gospel. In an age where spiritual truths are often privatized or relegated to the margins of public discourse, Jesus' command reminds us that the message of Christ is inherently public and meant to transform society. It challenges us to reflect on what "darkness" we might be holding the truth in—perhaps out of fear of rejection, social pressure, or a misunderstanding of our commission. The "light" we are called to speak in is not merely a physical space, but a spiritual posture of transparency, courage, and conviction. This means living authentically, where our private faith aligns with our public witness, and actively seeking opportunities to share the hope we have found in Christ, whether through intentional conversations, acts of service, or simply living out our faith in a visible way. We are called to be heralds, not hoarders, of the Good News, trusting that God will empower our proclamation and use it for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "darkness" or private spaces in my life am I holding back the truth of Christ from being openly declared?**
* **In what ways can I more effectively "speak in light" and "preach upon the housetops" in my current sphere of influence (family, workplace, community)?**
* **What fears or hesitations prevent me from boldly proclaiming the Gospel, and how can I overcome them through faith?**
* **How does my daily life align with or contradict the call to live out my faith publicly and without reservation?**

### FAQ
**What does "darkness" and "light" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In [Matthew 10:27](/matthew/10-27 "Matthew 10:27 - Proclaim What You Hear"), "darkness" refers to the private, intimate, or perhaps even veiled settings in which Jesus initially taught His disciples. It symbolizes a period of limited access or concealed understanding, where truths were imparted discreetly. Conversely, "light" signifies public visibility, open declaration, and clear understanding. It represents the public sphere where the disciples are commanded to openly and clearly proclaim the message they received, dispelling any previous obscurity and making it accessible to all. The contrast emphasizes a transition from private instruction to public dissemination.

**Why did Jesus tell His disciples to "preach upon the housetops"?**

Answer: The instruction to "preach upon the housetops" is a vivid cultural idiom from ancient Israel. Houses in that region typically had flat roofs that were easily accessible and often used for various daily activities. More importantly, these elevated platforms served as ideal vantage points for making public announcements to the community below. Therefore, to "preach upon the housetops" meant to proclaim a message openly, loudly, and widely, ensuring it reached the maximum number of people. Jesus used this imagery to convey the urgent and universal nature of the Gospel message, emphasizing that it was not to be kept secret but boldly declared for all to hear. This command underscores the importance of widespread evangelism, ensuring the message of the Kingdom reaches every corner.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 10:27 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who perfectly embodied the principle of public proclamation, and in the mission of the Church as His body. Jesus, the "Light of the World" [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), was the very embodiment of truth revealed from darkness. Though He often taught His disciples privately, preparing them for their mission, His ultimate purpose was to publicly declare the Kingdom of God, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, which were not done in a corner but openly before the world [Acts 26:26](/acts/26-26 "Acts 26:26 - Paul's Defense Before Agrippa"). The "darkness" in which the disciples received initial truths foreshadows the mystery of Christ's person and work, which was progressively revealed. The command to "speak in light" and "preach upon the housetops" is the very essence of the Gospel's spread, empowered by the Holy Spirit after Christ's ascension. The disciples, filled with the Spirit at Pentecost [Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost"), moved from fearful hiding to bold, public proclamation, fulfilling this mandate. Thus, [Matthew 10:27](/matthew/10-27 "Matthew 10:27 - Proclaim What You Hear") is not merely an instruction for the disciples but a prophetic declaration of the Church's ongoing mission to proclaim the finished work of Christ, the ultimate truth revealed, to every nation, tribe, and tongue until His glorious return [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Multitude from Every Nation").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 5:20

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 16:1

¶ These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

John 16:29

His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

Proverbs 1:20

¶ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

Proverbs 1:23

Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Matthew 13:34

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: