Why did Jesus tell the disciples in the dark and whisper to them that which he wanted them to proclaim on the housetops?
Jesus’ teaching of the disciples often came in conversations among one another, including his taking his disciples aside as they held conversations to discuss things with them privately (Matthew 13:10,Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:36). Jesus wants his disciples to proclaim his private teaching (see Matthew 28:19–20) from the rooftops—which in the Middle East have always been, and still are, used for public announcements—and not to be fearful (Matthew 10:26a). Matthew 10:26–27 thus stresses that the gospel cannot be contained.
Much of Jesus’ teaching directed to the disciples came in the form of conversations they had among one another. He often took his disciples aside as they held conversations to discuss things with them privately (see Matthew 13:10, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:36). Jesus wants his disciples to become actively involved with the fulfillment of the command of Matthew 10:26a not to be fearful. He therefore commissions them to openly proclaim that which he had taught them in secret (see also Matthew 28:19–20). In the Middle East rooftops have always been used and continue to be used for public announcements. Matthew 10:26–27 therefore emphasizes that the gospel cannot be contained.1
Even though he privately instructed them, it was never Jesus’ purpose to cultivate only a small inwardly-focused circle of disciples. He instructed them so as to equip them to be his envoys in the world. They must proclaim his words in broad daylight and from the rooftops (the reference here is to the flat rooftops found on eastern houses that served the function of a terrace or a balcony). Everyone may and must hear what Jesus had told his disciples concerning the coming kingdom as well as the relationship between the Father and the Son.2
27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.