Acts 10:9

9. On the morrow Starting at three in the afternoon, they completed the journey of almost thirty miles from Cesarea to Joppa on the next day about noon. Thereby their arrival and Peter’s noon-day prayer would coincide.

Housetop to pray The Jewish custom of worshipping (and other purposes) under their clear sky upon the housetop lined with battlements is repeatedly alluded to in the Old Testament. (2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:13; Zephaniah 1:5; Daniel 6:10.)

Writing from Calcutta, our late Bishop Kingsley said: “I had the first genuine experience of the meaning of the word ‘housetop’ as used in Scripture, an experience which has been repeated again and again since I have been in India. The preparation for the ‘housetop,’ or roof, in all this country, is first a sufficient number of strong beams, near enough together to support an immense weight. These are covered with strong plank or thick boards, on which is a covering of brick and mortar, a foot or more in thickness, and over all a thick coat of cement, which by the action of the air becomes as hard and durable as stone. And you have the impression that you are standing on a rock while on the top of the house. The roof is so nearly level that the eye can detect no inclination, and offers a delightful retreat in the close of the day.”

Sixth hour Noon; one of the ordinary hours for the prayers of the devout Jew. So Daniel prayed thrice a day, (Daniel 6:10:) and David says, “Evening, and morning, and noon will I pray.”