turning rn to the words of our Lord in Matthew 7:6. I'm reminded that Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, offers counsel here that, while often overlooked, speaks profoundly to the nature of our witness, the stewardship of the gospel, and the boundaries of our engagement with the world.
The words "
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine" are not merely a call for caution; they are an instruction for discernment. In a world filled with the restless noise of rebellion and the desolate cries of sin, we are reminded that our message, our lives, and the gospel truths are precious. It is of utmost importance that we, as faithful stewards of the mysteries of God, handle what is holy with due reverence and wisdom.
Let's dive deeper into the meaning of this passage, leaning on the rich theological heritage of the Church and the clear teaching of Scripture, so that we might be equipped to discern "dogs and swine" and exercise wisdom in our dealings with them.
1. Contextualizing the Words of Christ: A Call for Discerning Witness
Before we plunge into the identity of these "dogs" and "swine," we must first understand the broader context of Matthew 7:6. In the previous verses, Christ teaches about the need for discernment in judgment (Matt. 7:1-5), the importance of
prayer (Matt. 7:7-11), and the narrow gate that leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14). These teachings, set in the Sermon on the Mount, concern the nature of true righteousness—a righteousness that is not of the external law but of the heart, a righteousness wrought by grace.
This makes Matthew 7:6 all the more striking. Jesus is not only warning us about external conduct but about the stewardship of the gospel itself.
The "holy" and "pearls" are metaphors for the precious truths of the Kingdom, the sacred message of the gospel, the very wisdom of God that has been revealed to His people.
To cast these pearls before swine or give what is holy to dogs is a violation of our duty to honor God's truth and a failure to properly discern those who are fit to hear it. This passage calls for us to
be wise as serpents and
harmless as doves (Matt. 10:16), recognizing that there are those who will trample underfoot what we hold dear, and in doing so, we expose ourselves and others to greater harm.
2. The Identity of the "Dogs" and "Swine": Who Are They?
To identify the "dogs" and "swine" of Matthew 7:6, we must turn to the Scriptures and their cultural and linguistic context. The language of "dogs" and "swine" is not arbitrary; it is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and the cultural understanding of both the Jewish people and the broader ancient world.
- Dogs: In the ancient world, particularly in the Hebrew context, dogs were not domesticated pets as we think of them today. They were scavengers, unclean animals that roamed the streets, devouring refuse. The term "dog" in the Bible is used metaphorically to describe those who are outside the covenant, those who live in open defiance to God's law, and those who are hostile to His people. In Philippians 3:2, Paul uses the term to refer to false teachers—those who seek to distort the gospel and lead God's people astray. Dogs represent the unclean, the rebellious, the spiritually dead.
- Swine: Similarly, pigs were ceremonially unclean in Jewish law (Leviticus 11:7). The swine is a symbol of defilement, of those who are enslaved to their appetites and who scorn the holiness of God. Jesus Himself used swine in Matthew 8:31-32 to describe the demonic possession of the Gadarene man, underscoring the connection between swine and evil forces. Swine represent the spiritually unclean, the untouchable, and those who are in bondage to sin, unable or unwilling to receive the purity of the gospel.
In the broader sense,
dogs and swine represent those who reject the gospel with a hardened heart. They are not merely ignorant; they are
hostile to the truth, and they will inevitably respond with disdain, trampling upon the pearls of wisdom that we offer. These are those who mock and scorn the holy things of God, who have neither understanding nor humility to receive the grace we extend.
3. How Do We Identify These "Dogs" and "Swine"?
Now, the question remains: How do we identify these individuals in our day, particularly in a context where the lines between the sacred and the profane are often blurred? Here are a few thoughts on discerning those to whom we should not freely give the pearls of the gospel.
- A Life of Open Defiance and Rebellion Against God
Those who persistently live in rebellion to God’s commandments, despite clear teaching and loving correction, fall into this category. We are not to engage in fruitless debates with those who mock God, reject His sovereignty, and blaspheme His name. 1 Corinthians 1:18 tells us that the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing. There is a point where our efforts to reason with them become futile.
- Hostility to the Gospel
Those who actively persecute the truth or attempt to silence the gospel fall under the category of “dogs” and “swine.” The false teachers who distort the gospel for selfish gain, leading others astray, are prime examples of this. Jesus warned us that false prophets would come in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15), and the apostle Paul similarly cautioned against those who “dispute over foolish and ignorant speculations” (2 Timothy 2:23).
- Hardness of Heart
There are some whose hearts are so hardened that no matter how lovingly or faithfully we preach the gospel, they will refuse to hear. Matthew 13:15 describes such hearts as calloused, incapable of receiving the truth. These individuals are often trapped in their sin, and the Spirit may be calling us to cease our efforts for the time being—to not cast pearls before those who will trample them underfoot.
- The Unrepentant and Unwilling to Be Reconciled
Scripture makes clear that repentance is key to salvation. When a person rejects repentance, preferring sin to salvation, they are in danger of being numbered among the dogs and swine. Jesus taught His disciples to shake the dust off their feet and move on when their message is rejected (Matt. 10:14). There comes a time when further engagement is not only unfruitful but spiritually dangerous.
4. Wisdom: How to Care for the Souls of Others
As believers we are tasked with
dispensing the gospel faithfully and
with wisdom. To offer the gospel to those who reject it is a task requiring discernment. But let us not misunderstand: This teaching is
not a call to judgmental isolation or exclusivity. We are
not to treat the lost with contempt. We must still love, pray for, and seek to engage with those who are far from Christ.
Yet, we are called to be discerning stewards of the gospel.
To cast pearls before swine is to squander the precious truths of God’s Word on those who refuse to hear, diminishing the sacred value of the message. Instead, let us focus on
those whom God is drawing to Himself—those who are
humble in heart, those whose hearts are tender and open to hearing the Word of life.
Conclusion
Matthew 7:6 calls us to
balance courageous witness with
holy discernment. The pearls of the gospel are too precious to be given to those who will trample them underfoot. Let us therefore exercise wisdom, and with the mind of Christ, discern when to speak and when to remain silent, knowing that our ultimate goal is not to condemn but to
faithfully proclaim Christ and
guard the sacred trust we have been given.
May God give us grace to be faithful in our calling, wise in our approach, and always grounded in love, as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission in these dark times.
In Christ’s name, Amen.
I simply try and avoid talking to people that treat God's revealed word with utter contempt, and/or treat God's people with the same contempt.
