Matthew 7:6

Matthew 7:6 (KJV) is a powerful and often misunderstood verse from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, providing a crucial instruction on discernment in sharing spiritual truths.

Context

This verse appears immediately after Jesus's teaching on not judging others (Matthew 7:1-5) and before His exhortation to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7-11). It serves as a necessary balance: while believers are not to be hypocritical or harshly condemnatory, they are also called to exercise wisdom and discernment regarding who receives sacred spiritual knowledge and how it is presented. It's not a prohibition against evangelism, but a caution against wasting divine truth on those who will only profane it.

Key Themes

• Spiritual Discernment: The core message is about wisely determining when and to whom profound spiritual truths should be shared. "That which is holy" and "your pearls" represent the precious, sacred truths of God's kingdom, the Gospel, or deep spiritual insights.
• Protecting the Sacred: Jesus warns against profaning or devaluing divine revelation. Just as one wouldn't offer sacred sacrificial meat to dogs or precious gems to swine, believers should guard the sanctity of God's word from contempt.
• The Unreceptive Audience: "Dogs" and "swine" are metaphors for individuals who are hostile, contemptuous, or utterly unreceptive to spiritual truth. In ancient Jewish culture, these animals were considered unclean and often associated with viciousness or impurity. The warning suggests that such individuals will not only reject the truth but may also treat it with disdain, trample upon it, and turn hostile towards the messenger.

Linguistic Insights

• "Holy" (Greek: to hagion, τὸ ἅγιον): This term emphasizes something set apart, consecrated, or dedicated to God. It highlights the divine origin and immense value of the truths Jesus refers to.
• "Pearls" (Greek: margaritas, μαργαρίτας): In the ancient world, pearls were extremely valuable and sought-after treasures. Their use here underscores the incomparable worth of the spiritual wisdom and divine revelation being discussed.
• "Dogs" (Greek: kysin, κυσίν) and "Swine" (Greek: choirōn, χοίρων): These animals were considered unclean in Jewish law and often used metaphorically to describe aggressive, impure, or contemptuous people. The imagery vividly portrays those who would not only fail to appreciate sacred things but would also react with hostility and aggression.

Practical Application

Matthew 7:6 calls believers to exercise wisdom and discretion in sharing the Gospel and deeper spiritual insights. It does not contradict the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, but rather guides *how* that mission is carried out.

• Discerning Receptivity: While all are called to hear the good news, this verse advises against persistently engaging with those who demonstrate open hostility, mockery, or complete lack of reverence for divine things. It's about recognizing when a heart is truly closed to spiritual truth.
• Protecting the Message: It encourages believers to guard the sanctity of profound spiritual doctrines from those who would mock, profane, or pervert them. This might involve not debating deep theological points with those who have no genuine interest in understanding.
• Wisdom in Evangelism: The verse promotes a strategic approach to sharing faith. Sometimes, the most loving action is to withdraw from persistent opposition, shake the dust off one's feet (Matthew 10:14), and seek out those who are more receptive. It's about being effective stewards of God's precious truth.