Matthew 7:6

KJV

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give {G1325} not {G3361} that which {G3588} is holy {G40} unto the dogs {G2965}, neither {G3366} cast {G906} ye your {G5216} pearls {G3135} before {G1715} swine {G5519}, lest {G3379} they trample {G2662} them {G846} under {G1722} their {G846} feet {G4228}, and {G2532} turn again {G4762} and rend {G4486} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Don't give to dogs what is holy, and don't throw your pearls to the pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, then turn and attack you.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

American Standard Version

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 7:6, a pivotal verse within Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, delivers a profound injunction regarding the discerning distribution of sacred spiritual truths. It cautions believers against indiscriminately sharing the precious revelations of God's kingdom with those who are hostile, contemptuous, or utterly unreceptive, likening such an act to casting valuable holy objects or precious pearls before animals that would only profane them and turn aggressively on the giver. This teaching underscores the necessity of wisdom in evangelism and spiritual communication, balancing the call to share the Gospel with the imperative to protect its sanctity and the safety of its messenger.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the broader discourse of the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew Chapters 5-7"), serving as a vital bridge between Jesus's teaching on [not judging others](/matthew/7-1-5 "Matthew 7:1-5 - Do Not Judge") (Matthew 7:1-5) and His subsequent exhortation to [ask, seek, and knock](/matthew/7-7-11 "Matthew 7:7-11 - Ask, Seek, Knock") (Matthew 7:7-11). While the preceding verses warn against hypocritical and condemnatory judgment, Matthew 7:6 provides the necessary counter-balance, emphasizing that discernment is not only permissible but commanded when it comes to sharing sacred truths. It prevents the misinterpretation that an open-handed, non-judgmental approach means an indiscriminate distribution of spiritual profundities to those who would only scorn or abuse them. Thus, it highlights a wisdom that distinguishes between judging a person's heart and discerning their receptivity to divine revelation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, both "dogs" and "swine" held significant negative connotations. Dogs were typically scavengers, often wild and aggressive, considered unclean animals, and used metaphorically to describe Gentiles or morally corrupt individuals (e.g., [Philippians 3:2](/philippians/3-2 "Philippians 3:2 - Beware of Dogs")). Swine were strictly forbidden as food and considered the epitome of ritual impurity under Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 11:7](/leviticus/11-7 "Leviticus 11:7 - Dietary Laws Regarding Swine")). Therefore, the imagery of giving "that which is holy" (referring to sacred meat from sacrifices, which could only be eaten by priests or clean persons) to dogs, or "pearls" (highly valuable gems) to swine, would have immediately evoked a powerful sense of profanity, waste, and danger to Jesus's Jewish audience. The warning of being "trampled" and "rent" further underscores the violent and destructive potential of such a misapplication of sacred things.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 7:6 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. The primary theme is **Spiritual Discernment**, highlighting the necessity of wisdom in sharing the precious truths of God's kingdom. This is not a call for exclusivity but for strategic stewardship of divine revelation, understanding that not all hearts are prepared or receptive to profound spiritual insights. It also emphasizes the **Protection of the Sacred**, warning against the profanation or devaluation of God's word and the Gospel message. Just as one would guard a treasure, believers are called to safeguard the sanctity of divine truth from contempt. Furthermore, the verse addresses the reality of the **Unreceptive Audience**, using the vivid metaphors of "dogs" and "swine" to represent those who not only reject spiritual truth but may react with hostility, mockery, or even violence towards the message and the messenger. This theme is echoed in other passages where Jesus instructs His disciples to [shake the dust off their feet](/matthew/10-14 "Matthew 10:14 - Shaking Off Dust") when faced with persistent rejection, indicating a limit to persistent engagement with those who are utterly closed off.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hágios (Greek, _hágios_):** Sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated). This term emphasizes the divine origin and immense value of the truths Jesus refers to, highlighting their intrinsic holiness and separation from the common or profane. It denotes something set apart for God's purposes, thus possessing an inherent sanctity that demands reverence and protection.
* **margarítēs (Greek, _margarítēs_):** A pearl. In the ancient world, pearls were extremely valuable and sought-after treasures, often representing great wealth or preciousness. Their use here underscores the incomparable worth and rarity of the spiritual wisdom and divine revelation being discussed. The imagery conveys that these truths are not common or cheap, but are of supreme value, deserving of careful handling and appreciation.
* **kýōn (Greek, _kýōn_):** A dog ("hound") (literally or figuratively). In ancient Jewish culture, dogs were often scavengers, considered unclean animals, and sometimes associated with viciousness or impurity. This term, paired with "swine," metaphorically describes individuals who are hostile, contemptuous, or utterly unreceptive to sacred truth, prone to defile or attack it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,"**: This clause warns against offering sacred, consecrated things to those who are spiritually unclean, hostile, or contemptuous. "That which is holy" likely refers to sacred food, perhaps sacrificial meat, which was reserved for priests or clean persons. To give it to "dogs" (unclean scavengers) would be an act of desecration and waste, implying a lack of discernment regarding the value and sanctity of divine things.
* **"neither cast ye your pearls before swine,"**: This parallel clause reinforces the warning with another vivid metaphor. "Pearls" represent truths of immense value, spiritual insights, or the Gospel message itself, which are precious and beautiful. "Swine" (unclean animals, seen as brutish and destructive) would not appreciate the pearls but would likely trample them into the mud, demonstrating their utter disregard and inability to comprehend their worth.
* **"lest they trample them under their feet,"**: This consequence clause describes the immediate outcome of casting pearls before swine. The swine, having no appreciation for the pearls, would simply walk over them, crushing them into the dirt. This symbolizes the contemptuous rejection and profanation of spiritual truths by those who are unreceptive or hostile, treating them as worthless.
* **"and turn again and rend you."**: This second, more severe consequence highlights the danger to the messenger. Not only will the sacred truths be desecrated, but the "dogs" or "swine" (the hostile recipients) will turn on the one who offered them, attacking or harming them. This warns of the potential for verbal abuse, persecution, or even physical violence when divine truth is shared with those who are not only unreceptive but actively antagonistic.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 7:6 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Vivid Imagery**, using "dogs" and "swine" to represent individuals who are hostile, contemptuous, or spiritually unreceptive. These animal figures, considered unclean and brutish in Jewish culture, powerfully symbolize those who would not only fail to appreciate sacred truths but would actively profane them. The phrase "that which is holy" and "your pearls" serve as **Symbols** for the precious, invaluable truths of God's kingdom and the Gospel. The structure of the verse also employs **Parallelism**, presenting two similar warnings ("holy unto the dogs" and "pearls before swine") that reinforce the same core message of discernment. The concluding phrases, "lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you," utilize **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme negative consequences, both for the message (profanation) and for the messenger (harm).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 7:6 stands as a crucial theological statement on the nature of divine revelation and the responsibility of its stewards. It teaches that while God's truth is universally valuable, its proclamation requires wisdom and discernment regarding the receptivity of the audience. This is not a justification for withholding the Gospel from anyone, but rather a guide for prudent and effective evangelism, recognizing that persistent engagement with those who are openly hostile or contemptuous can lead to the profanation of sacred truth and unnecessary harm to the messenger. The verse underscores the sanctity of the Gospel message, implying that it is too precious to be treated with disdain or to be wasted on those who would only abuse it. It calls believers to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, discerning when to speak and when to refrain, and to whom the deeper mysteries of the faith should be entrusted.

* [Proverbs 23:9](/proverbs/23-9 "Proverbs 23:9 - Do not speak in the hearing of a fool")
* [Matthew 10:14](/matthew/10-14 "Matthew 10:14 - Shaking Off Dust")
* [Acts 13:45-46](/acts/13-45-46 "Acts 13:45-46 - Paul and Barnabas Turn to the Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 7:6 presents a profound challenge to believers, urging a balance between the universal call to share the Gospel and the practical wisdom required in its dissemination. It reminds us that while the love of God extends to all, not all hearts are equally receptive to spiritual truth, especially its deeper implications. This verse encourages us to cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing when our message is being genuinely considered versus when it is being mocked, trivialized, or used as an occasion for hostility. It's an invitation to be strategic in our witness, not to abandon the lost, but to re-evaluate our approach when faced with persistent and aggressive rejection. Sometimes, the most loving and wise action is to withdraw from a conversation or situation where the sacred is being profaned, trusting God to open other doors and hearts. This protects both the integrity of the message and the well-being of the messenger, allowing us to invest our spiritual energies where they are most likely to bear fruit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between someone who is genuinely seeking truth and someone who is merely hostile or contemptuous towards spiritual matters?**
* **In what ways might I be "casting pearls before swine" in my own life, whether in sharing the Gospel or other sacred truths?**
* **What are the potential dangers of persistently engaging with those who are openly antagonistic to the Gospel, and how can I protect myself and the message?**
* **How does this verse inform my approach to evangelism and spiritual conversations, especially in a diverse and often skeptical world?**

### FAQ
**Does Matthew 7:6 contradict the Great Commission to preach the Gospel to all nations?**

Answer: No, Matthew 7:6 does not contradict the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission") (Matthew 28:19-20), but rather provides crucial guidance on *how* that mission is to be carried out. The Great Commission is a universal command to proclaim the good news to everyone, making disciples. Matthew 7:6, however, emphasizes the need for discernment and wisdom in the *manner* and *depth* of sharing, particularly when encountering persistent hostility or contempt. It warns against wasting profound spiritual truths on those who will only profane them and turn aggressively on the messenger. It's about being a wise steward of the Gospel, not about withholding it from anyone who might genuinely listen. Jesus Himself demonstrated this discernment, sometimes withdrawing from those who were unwilling to receive His message (e.g., [Matthew 13:58](/matthew/13-58 "Matthew 13:58 - Jesus in Nazareth")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 7:6, while a practical instruction for disciples, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ Himself. Jesus, as the embodiment of divine wisdom and the very "holy" and "pearl" of God's revelation, perfectly modeled this discernment. He consistently offered the precious truths of the Kingdom to all who would listen, healing the sick and teaching the multitudes (e.g., [Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Teaches and Heals")). Yet, He also recognized and withdrew from those who were utterly hardened in their hearts, who sought to trap Him, or who would only mock and reject His message, ultimately leading to His crucifixion (e.g., [Matthew 12:14](/matthew/12-14 "Matthew 12:14 - Pharisees Plot Against Jesus"); [John 8:59](/john/8-59 "John 8:59 - Jesus Escapes")). His life and ministry demonstrate that the "holy" and "pearls" of God's truth, culminating in His own sacrificial life and redemptive work, were indeed trampled by those who rejected Him and ultimately "rent" Him on the cross (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He was Pierced for Our Transgressions")). Yet, through His suffering, these very "pearls" became the means of salvation for all who would receive them. Thus, Christ is both the ultimate "holy" truth to be guarded and the perfect example of discerning wisdom in its proclamation, enduring rejection for the sake of those who would believe, and calling His followers to share His precious Gospel with both zeal and profound wisdom.

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

Proverbs 9:7

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot.

Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Proverbs 23:9

¶ Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Matthew 10:14

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Matthew 10:15

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Proverbs 26:11

¶ As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.