From the housetops

Houses in Israel had flat roofs. You could work, sleep or chat with the neighbours up there. Whoever called out from the roof was heard down the whole street. Jesus sets two places against each other: the ear, where he taught in a small circle, and the roof, where everyone listens in.

In Luke the same saying sounds like a warning. Here it is a commission. What Jesus gives you in the quiet is not meant to be kept indoors. That doesn't have to be loud or pushy. But a faith behind a closed door is missing something.