New International VersionWhat I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
New Living TranslationWhat I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
English Standard VersionWhat I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
Berean Standard BibleWhat I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
Berean Literal BibleWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops!
King James BibleWhat I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
New King James Version“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
New American Standard BibleWhat I tell you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.
NASB 1995“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
NASB 1977“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
Legacy Standard BibleWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
Amplified BibleWhat I say to you in the dark (privately), tell in the light (publicly); and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops [to many people].
Christian Standard BibleWhat I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhat I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops.
American Standard VersionWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.
Contemporary English VersionWhatever I say to you in the dark, you must tell in the light. And you must announce from the housetops whatever I have whispered to you.
English Revised VersionWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light: and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationTell in the daylight what I say to you in the dark. Shout from the housetops what you hear whispered.
Good News TranslationWhat I am telling you in the dark you must repeat in broad daylight, and what you have heard in private you must announce from the housetops.
International Standard VersionWhat I tell you in darkness you must speak in the daylight, and what is whispered in your ear you must shout from the housetops.
NET BibleWhat I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
New Heart English BibleWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Webster's Bible TranslationWhat I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that publish ye upon the house-tops.
Weymouth New TestamentWhat I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what is whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhat I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
World English BibleWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthat which I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light, and that which you hear at the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Berean Literal BibleWhat I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops!
Young's Literal Translation that which I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light, and that which you hear at the ear, proclaim on the house-tops.
Smith's Literal TranslationWhat I say to you in darkness, speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the houses. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops.
Catholic Public Domain VersionWhat I tell you in darkness, speak in the light. And what you hear whispered in the ear, preach above the rooftops.
New American BibleWhat I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
New Revised Standard VersionWhat I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhat I tell you in the dark, tell it in the daylight; and what you hear with your ears, preach on the house tops.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“Whatever I tell you in the darkness, say it in the light, and whatever you hear with your ears, preach on the rooftops.” NT Translations Anderson New Testament"What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light: and what you hear in the ear, preach on the house-tops.
Godbey New Testament
What I say unto you in the darkness, speak ye in the light: and whatsoever you hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
Haweis New Testament
What I say unto you in the dark, publish in the light: and what ye hear whispered into the ear, proclaim upon the roofs.
Mace New Testament
what I tell you in private, declare it in publick: and what is whisper'd in the ear, proclaim from the battlements of the house.
Weymouth New Testament
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what is whispered into your ear, proclaim upon the roofs of the houses.
Worrell New Testament
What I am saying to you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
Worsley New Testament
What I say to you in private, declare ye in public: and what ye hearas in the ear, preach yeas from the house-tops.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Fear God Alone26So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. 27WhatI tellyouinthedark,speakinthedaylight;whatis whisperedinyourear,proclaimfromthehousetops.28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.…
Cross References Luke 12:3What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.
Mark 4:22For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.
John 16:13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
Acts 5:20“Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
Acts 18:9-10One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”
Romans 16:25-26Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past / but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith—
1 Corinthians 2:7-10No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. / Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ...
Ephesians 3:3-5that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. / In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, / which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Colossians 1:26-27the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
2 Timothy 1:10And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,
Hebrews 1:1-2On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
1 John 1:1-3That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. / And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. / We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 8:11-13For this is what the LORD has spoken to me with a strong hand, instructing me not to walk in the way of this people: / “Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. / The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.
Isaiah 30:8Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever.
Jeremiah 1:7But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.
Treasury of Scripture What I tell you in darkness, that speak you in light: and what you hear in the ear, that preach you on the housetops. I tell. Matthew 13:1-17,34,35 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side… Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. John 16:1,13,25,29 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended… that preach. Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: … Proverbs 8:1-5 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? … Acts 5:20,28 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life… Jump to Previous DarkDarknessDaylightEarHearHousesHousetopsHouse-TopsLightPreachProclaimPublishRoofsSecretlySpeakUtterWhisperedJump to Next DarkDarknessDaylightEarHearHousesHousetopsHouse-TopsLightPreachProclaimPublishRoofsSecretlySpeakUtterWhisperedMatthew 10 1.Jesus sends out his apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;5.giving them their charge, teaches them;16.comforts them against persecutions;40.and promises a blessing to those who receive them.What I tell you in the darkThis phrase emphasizes the private and intimate nature of Jesus' teachings to His disciples. In the context of first-century Judea, rabbis often taught their disciples in private settings before those teachings were shared publicly. This reflects the method Jesus used to prepare His disciples for their mission. The "dark" symbolizes a place of learning and preparation, away from the public eye, where deeper truths are revealed. This can be connected to the way God often reveals His will to His prophets in solitude or through visions, as seen with figures like Elijah and Daniel. speak in the daylight
Here, the transition from "dark" to "daylight" signifies moving from private instruction to public proclamation. The daylight represents openness and visibility, suggesting that the truths of the Gospel are meant to be shared openly and fearlessly. This aligns with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations. The cultural context of the time valued public discourse, and speaking in the daylight would ensure that the message reached a wide audience. what is whispered in your ear
This phrase suggests a personal and direct communication from Jesus to His disciples, akin to a master imparting secret knowledge to his students. In ancient Jewish culture, the whispering of secrets was a way to convey important information that required careful handling. This can be seen as a type of Jesus Christ as the ultimate teacher, who imparts divine wisdom to His followers. It also reflects the prophetic tradition where God communicates His messages to prophets in a personal manner, as seen with Samuel and Isaiah. proclaim from the housetops
In ancient Israel, houses often had flat roofs that served as additional living space. Proclaiming from the housetops would ensure that the message was heard by as many people as possible, symbolizing boldness and clarity in sharing the Gospel. This imagery is powerful, as it calls for the disciples to be unashamed and vocal about their faith. The rooftops, being the highest point of a home, represent the elevation of God's truth above all else. This connects to the call for believers to be a "city on a hill" (Matthew 5:14), visible and influential in the world. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, Jesus is instructing His disciples on how to carry out their mission. 2. The DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, tasked with spreading His message. 3. HousetopsIn ancient times, housetops were flat and often used as a place to make public announcements, symbolizing the bold and public proclamation of the Gospel. 4. Dark and LightSymbolic of private revelation and public declaration, respectively. 5. Whispered and ProclaimedThese terms highlight the transition from private instruction to public preaching. Teaching Points Boldness in ProclamationAs followers of Christ, we are called to share the Gospel boldly and without fear, trusting in God's power and presence. Faithfulness to the MessageWe must remain true to the teachings of Christ, ensuring that what we proclaim publicly aligns with His word. Preparedness for OppositionExpect resistance and opposition when proclaiming the Gospel, but remember that God equips and strengthens us for this task. Personal Reflection and Public DeclarationSpend time in personal study and reflection on God's word, allowing it to transform you before sharing it with others. Living as LightOur lives should reflect the light of Christ, serving as a testimony to the truth we proclaim. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 10:27?
2.How can we proclaim Christ's teachings "in the light" in today's world?
3.What does Matthew 10:27 teach about sharing the Gospel openly and boldly?
4.How does Matthew 10:27 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?
5.In what ways can we "speak in the daylight" in our daily lives?
6.How can Matthew 10:27 inspire courage in facing opposition for our faith?
7.What does Matthew 10:27 mean by "speak in the daylight" and "proclaim from the housetops"?
8.How does Matthew 10:27 challenge personal evangelism and public declaration of faith?
9.What historical context influenced the message of Matthew 10:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 10?
11.Can Christians practice their faith secretly?
12.What are Valentinus's teachings and Valentinianism's core beliefs?
13.What are Valentinus's teachings and Valentinianism's core beliefs?
14.How does Freemasonry align with Christian beliefs?What Does Matthew 10:27 Mean What I tell you in the darkJesus begins with, “What I tell you in the dark”. He is speaking of those quiet, private moments when He personally teaches His followers. • Think of evenings around the fire when the Twelve listened while the crowds were gone (Mark 4:34). • This is the Lord’s pattern: reveal truth first to His own, then send them out (John 16:13;Psalm 25:14). • Even today, He still meets us in the “secret place” (Psalm 91:1), guiding us through His Word, giving clarity before any public ministry begins.
Speak in the daylightThe next phrase is, “speak in the daylight”. Private truth is never meant to stay private. • Lamps are built for stands, not baskets (Luke 8:16). • Jesus pushes His disciples—and us—into the open where the light is unmistakable (Acts 5:20). • In daylight everything is visible; likewise, the gospel is to be shared openly, without shame (Philippians 2:15;Romans 1:16).
What is whispered in your earJesus then says, “what is whispered in your ear”. This pictures the intimate instruction a rabbi gives his student, leaning in so only the disciple hears. • The Lord still speaks through His Spirit, reminding us of His words (John 14:26). • That gentle voice directs our paths (Isaiah 30:21) and can be as soft as Elijah’s “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). • Such personal words are precious—but they are seed, intended to bear public fruit.
Proclaim from the housetopsFinally, “proclaim from the housetops”. Flat roofs in ancient Israel served as natural platforms for public announcements. • The image is fearless broadcasting: let the entire neighborhood hear (Acts 4:20). • Our commission is global, not merely local (Acts 1:8). • Whether the audience is friendly or hostile, the call remains: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). • Jeremiah felt a fire in his bones when he tried to stay silent (Jeremiah 20:9); the same fire should move us.
summaryMatthew 10:27 moves from private revelation to public proclamation. Jesus draws us close, teaches us in quiet moments, then insists we carry His unaltered message into the open, boldly and without apology. What He whispers to our hearts must echo from the rooftops so that light reaches every corner and every listener has the chance to hear. (27) What I tell you in darkness.--The words point to our Lord's method of teaching, as well as to the fact of its being esoteric, and disclosed only to the chosen few, and to them only as they were "able to bear it" ( John 16:12). Parables, and dark sayings, and whispered hints, and many-sided proverbs, were among the forms by which He led them on to truth. They, in their work as teachers, were not to shrink through any fear of man from giving publicity to what they had thus learnt. To "proclaim on the housetops"--the flat roofs of which were often actually used by criers and heralds for their announcements--is, of course, a natural figure for the fullest boldness and freedom in their preaching. Verse 27. - The parallel passage, Luke 12:3, is verbally similar, but of reverse meaning. In Matthew it is a charge to the disciples to proclaim publicly what Christ tells them privately; in Luke it is a statement that what they say privately shall be proclaimed publicly. St. Luke gives only another side of the preceding verse; St. Matthew, a fresh point. The connexion with ver. 26 is - Do not cover up your relation to me, but say out bravely the message that I give you. What I tell you. There is no limitation to the time. Those who believe in the present life of Christ and in the reality of present communications from him cannot fail to see here both the true source of their messages as preachers and the necessity of faithfulness to those messages. Observe that the stress is not upon the personality of the Speaker, but upon the communication ( λέγω, not ἐγὼ λέγω). In ( the, Revised Version) darkness... in ( the, Revised Version) light. Both are pictured to the mind. Andwhat ye hear in the ear ( εἰς τὸ οϋς). Possibly a reference to the habit of Jewish rabbis sometimes whispering their teaching in the ear of an " interpreter," who repeated it aloud for all to hear (cf. Lightfoot, 'Hor. Hebr.'), but more probably only the common figure of speech for secret instruction; cf. Talm. Bab., 'Berach.,' 22 a, "Nahum of Gamzo, whispered it to. R. Akiba, and R. Akiba whispered it to Ben Azai, and Ben Azai went out and taught it to his disciples in the street." Compare also the Old Testament phrase, "uncover the ear" ( 1 Samuel 9:15, used of God; 1 Samuel 20:2,12, 13, used of man). That preach ye; proclaim (Revised Version); κηρύξατε. Upon the house-tops. Lightfoot ('Hor. Hebr.') thinks that this is an allusion to the minister of a synagogue blowing a trumpet on the roof of a high house to announce the sabbath; but that was a mere signal of a fact ( σαλπίζω), not the articulate expression of a communication ( κηρύσσω). The phrase much more probably alludes to the fact that the roofs in Eastern cities are the common place for conversation, and to the rapidity with which an announcement there made spreads throughout the town.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Whatὃ(ho)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.I tellλέγω(legō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.youὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῇ(tē)Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.dark,σκοτίᾳ(skotia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4653:Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.speakεἴπατε(eipate)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.light;φωτί(phōti)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457:Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.whatὃ(ho)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.is whisperedἀκούετε(akouete)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.inεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.[your]τὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.ear,οὖς(ous)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3775:(a) the ear, (b) met: the faculty of perception. Apparently a primary word; the ear.proclaimκηρύξατε(kēryxate)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2784:To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.fromἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.housetops.δωμάτων(dōmatōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1430:The roof (of a house), the top of the house. From demo; properly, an edifice, i.e. a roof.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in the darkness (Matt. Mat Mt) |
