Don’t
give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Matthew 7:6
Matthew 7 [1.] “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7 [6.] “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Matthew 7 [7.] “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Meaning:
Jesus has just warned his disciples not to judge others harshly and to remove the beam from their own eye first (Matthew 7:1-2, Matthew 7:3-5). This verse provides balance. Not judging does not mean having no discernment. Disciples must recognize that some people will treat sacred things with contempt, and they should act wisely.
- “That which is holy”
In Israel, “holy” things were set apart for God, such as the meat of sacrifices eaten by the priests. To throw such food to dogs would be unthinkable. Here the holy thing stands for the message of the Kingdom and the precious truths of God.
- “Dogs” and “pigs”
In Jesus’ day dogs were not household pets but scavengers that roamed the streets, and pigs were unclean animals under the law of Moses. Both were images of what is coarse and unclean. Jesus is not describing people who simply do not yet believe, for he came to seek such people. He means those who have shown that they despise and mock the things of God, people who respond to truth with scorn and hostility.
- “Neither throw your pearls before the pigs”
Pearls were among the most valuable things in the ancient world. Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to “one pearl of great price” for which a merchant sold all he had (Matthew 13:45-46). Pigs cannot appreciate pearls; they see only that they are not food, so they trample them in the mud.
- “Turn and tear you to pieces”
Pressing holy things on those who scorn them does no good to the hearer and may bring harm to the one who speaks. Proverbs gives the same advice: “He who corrects a mocker invites insult… Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you” (Proverbs 9:7-8). When Paul and Barnabas were rejected at Antioch of Pisidia, they told their opponents, “Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46).
The Significance of Matthew 7:6
- Discernment with love
This verse does not give permission to write people off quickly. Jesus himself showed patience with sinners and kept teaching even when misunderstood. But when someone persistently mocks the gospel, it may be wiser to stop arguing and to pray, waiting for a better time. Paul advised Titus, “Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning” (Titus 3:10).
- Valuing what is holy
The verse also reminds us how precious God’s truth is. Those who treasure the Kingdom will handle it with reverence, and will share it with love, wisdom and timing.
Cross-References:
Proverbs 9:8: "Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you." Wisdom about mockers.
Matthew 13:46: "who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." The Kingdom as a priceless pearl.
Titus 3:10: "Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;" Knowing when to stop.
Conclusion: In Matthew 7:6 Jesus balances his warning against judging with a call to discernment. Holy things and precious pearls should not be thrown to those who will only trample them and turn on the giver. The verse teaches believers to treasure God’s truth and to share it with wisdom, love and sensitivity to how it is received.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible