What does Mt 7:6 mean?

[Pink Spider]

What does the following verse mean?

6 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.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Mt 7:6

 

[GrayAngel]

What does the following verse mean?

6 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.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Mt 7:6

It means that Christians should be careful trying to spread the Gospel to people who are hostile to it, because they could become violent.

 

[cerette]

I think it means that we are not to declare the gospel to unrepentant sinners.
If a person doesn't repent of their sins we shouldn't comfort them with the promise of forgiveness (= the gospel) because they wouldn't value The Great News and it would be like throwing expensive pearls to the pigs.

 

[Pink Spider]

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.
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Thanks for the answers.

I assure you that I mean no harm.

It means that Christians should be careful trying to spread the Gospel to people who are hostile to it, because they could become violent.

Yes, but they (the Christians) did spread their
teachings throughout the Roman empire - and
the Romans were (at least in the beginning) very
hostile to their message.

If they (the Christians) had been careful, as you
say - then we wouldn't have so many martyrs,
would we?

I think it means that we are not to declare the gospel to unrepentant sinners.
If a person doesn't repent of their sins we shouldn't comfort them with the promise of forgiveness (= the gospel) because they wouldn't value The Great News and it would be like throwing expensive pearls to the pigs.

No offense, but a person may refuse to repent of
her/his sins 99 times but the 100th time she/he may
finally understand and repent.

I am sure that Jesus didn't mean to say to give
up after the first try or did he?
.
.
.

 

[GrayAngel]

Christianity may have been targeted in its infancy, but they didn't go looking for trouble. Before Saul's conversion, Christians would have kept clear of him. Family members who would threaten their lives would also be avoided.

 

[cerette]

.
.
.
Thanks for the answers.

I assure you that I mean no harm.


Yes, but they (the Christians) did spread their
teachings throughout the Roman empire - and
the Romans were (at least in the beginning) very
hostile to their message.

If they (the Christians) had been careful, as you
say - then we wouldn't have so many martyrs,
would we?



No offense, but a person may refuse to repent of
her/his sins 99 times but the 100th time she/he may
finally understand and repent.

I am sure that Jesus didn't mean to say to give
up after the first try or did he?
.
.
.

No of course we shouldn't give up. What I meant was this: When you evangelize to someone and see that the person is not repentant, then you cannot say "Go in peace, your sins are forgiven" because that unrepentant person will not value such good news, it would be like throwing pearls to swine (they wouldn't care if it's pearls or mud, because they don't understand the value of pearls, right?). A person who is unrepentant needs to hear God's law, and come to understand that she/he is a sinner and in need of forgiveness. It is only when a person repents of their sins that she /he will value the gospel.
(This is not to say that we shouldn't explain both the law and the gospel when we evangelize.)

 

[Tigger45]

No of course we shouldn't give up. What I meant was this: When you evangelize to someone and see that the person is not repentant, then you cannot say "Go in peace, your sins are forgiven" because that unrepentant person will not value such good news, it would be like throwing pearls to swine (they wouldn't care if it's pearls or mud, because they don't understand the value of pearls, right?). A person who is unrepentant needs to hear God's law, and come to understand that she/he is a sinner and in need of forgiveness. It is only when a person repents of their sins that she /he will value the gospel.
(This is not to say that we shouldn't explain both the law and the gospel when we evangelize.)

Well said sister I would couple that with this verse...
Proverbs 9:10

King James Version (KJV)

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

 

[graceandpeace]

What does the following verse mean?

6 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.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Mt 7:6

I am not 100% sure my answer to this will be completely correct, so if others want to chime in that would be great.

If I am not mistaken, dogs & swine were dangerous, unclean animals in the ancient Near East. Calling someone a "dog" or "pig" would have been very derogatory; Jews at that time may have applied such labels to the Gentiles or those deemed unclean.

The preceding verses in Matthew 7 are of Jesus speaking against judging others & other verses in the New Testament speak about the gospel being brought to Gentiles, too. Perhaps his intended meaning was that caution should be exercised around dangerous individuals when sharing the gospel.

 

[hedrick]

I believe the generally accepted exegesis is: Don't post in General Theology.

More seriously, beware of opening up something that is holy to ridicule by putting it in front of people who don't respect God or you.

It's hard to know the original context. Jesus may have had something specific in mind, but if so, that context is missing.

 

[Chrisv]

What does the following verse mean?

6 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.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Mt 7:6

You must read this in context. Jesus is busy teaching His disciples and revealing important things to them. This divine revelations is the pearls He is talking about.

As you walk with God, He will reveal things of Himself to you. If you try and share these things with non believers, they might not appreciate it. All of the things God reveals to you is life changing to you but means nothing to them.

This has nothing to do with the Gospel. Sharing the Gospel should be something Christians do out of love for God. You do not share the Gospel because you must.....you share it because you know God has a heart for His children and you want to let them know that He loves them so much that He made it REALLY easy for them to be with Him because of what Jesus did on the cross.

Hitting people with the law will NOT bring them to repentance, in fact, quite the opposite. God's goodness is what brings us to repentance Rom 2:4.

 

[cerette]

You must read this in context. Jesus is busy teaching His disciples and revealing important things to them. This divine revelations is the pearls He is talking about.

As you walk with God, He will reveal things of Himself to you. If you try and share these things with non believers, they might not appreciate it. All of the things God reveals to you is life changing to you but means nothing to them.

This has nothing to do with the Gospel. Sharing the Gospel should be something Christians do out of love for God. You do not share the Gospel because you must.....you share it because you know God has a heart for His children and you want to let them know that He loves them so much that He made it REALLY easy for them to be with Him because of what Jesus did on the cross.

Hitting people with the law will NOT bring them to repentance, in fact, quite the opposite. God's goodness is what brings us to repentance Rom 2:4.

In order to repent you must first understand that you are a sinner. Romans 3:20 says "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."

So if you have an unrepentant person, they must hear the law so that they'll become conscious of their sin.

To fully understand the power of the gospel one must first be aware of one's sin.

 

[RickardoHolmes]

Perhaps it means do not try to offer enlightened teachings to those whom are not ready to receive it.

I liken it to the Prime Directive in Star Trek. Each person must discover his or her own path in life. Guiding, helping them is OK< but it can be detrimental to a person to have the answers handed to them, answers for which they are not ready to understand.

 

[talitha]

As you walk with God, He will reveal things of Himself to you. If you try and share these things with non believers, they might not appreciate it. All of the things God reveals to you is life changing to you but means nothing to them.

This has nothing to do with the Gospel.

I agree with this - and I would add that the "dog" in question might also be a believer who is not in the same place. We need to guard well the treasures that the Lord gives us. It's useless to share something with someone who is, for whatever reason, not ready for it.

Related scripture:
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

And some things are meant to be between the individual and God - it's about that relationship - and not shared with anyone, because no one else will value it.

 

[Chrisv]

In order to repent you must first understand that you are a sinner. Romans 3:20 says "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."

So if you have an unrepentant person, they must hear the law so that they'll become conscious of their sin.

To fully understand the power of the gospel one must first be aware of one's sin.

Agreed.
We as humans tend to think we "good people" based on our perception of what it means to be good.

We first need to realise that according to God's standard we do not even come close to being good.

 

[Chrisv]

I agree with this - and I would add that the "dog" in question might also be a believer who is not in the same place. We need to guard well the treasures that the Lord gives us. It's useless to share something with someone who is, for whatever reason, not ready for it.

Related scripture:
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

And some things are meant to be between the individual and God - it's about that relationship - and not shared with anyone, because no one else will value it.

So true.

 

[oi_antz]

What does the following verse mean?

6 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.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Mt 7:6

Hi Pink Spider! What can you tell us about your understanding of this verse?

 

[Ellwood3]

What does the following verse mean?

6 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.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Mt 7:6

Hello Pink Spider,

It means not to serve the priceless treasure of the kingdom to those who can only refuse it by their nature.

There are 3 parts, which I will post as 3 separate posts. If anyone posts in between, please keep scrolling down for the rest.

Those who are hardened and who can only refuse it shall become more hardened when it continues to be thrown in their direction.

This is a very interesting passage, telling a truth about humankind and how to deal with pretend seekers of spiritual Truth who are desiring only to tear it to pieces.

Just as Jesus would not continue to endlessly practice question answering with the scribes and Pharisees, we are supposed to follow His lead and stop debating with those who have no actual leanings toward the Gospel.

The more we contend with such people, the simpler they will think it is to tear to pieces what they are given, and will become still faster at dismissing the gospel the next time they receive a portion of it.

Far from gratitude, just as the dogs that roamed the Valley of Hinnom, tearing at corpses among the fires and offal in the city of Jerusalem&#8217;s dump (the word for Gehenna&#8212;translated hell comes from here) the angry fighting dog will often turn on and rend the person who fails to be prudent and follow the Holy Spirit&#8217;s guidance in delivering the Good News.

And swine will be swine when they receive pearls&#8212;truths and wisdom. They see no value in it. It is not something they can feed upon. So they trample on it. And they are blind to the true meaning of those pearls.

And yes, there are people who act as if they are dogs&#8212;the roaming wild dogs of the city of Jerusalem in that day&#8212;and people who behave as if they are swine.

Had Jesus said, &#8220;Cast your most precious treasure to those most unwilling to receive it!&#8221; we would say He gave poor advice.

If a financial advisor told you to take your treasure and cast it into the sea, would you listen, or fire your advisor?

Why then do people take offense at these words of Jesus? Because He is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. Jesus is the Messiah, and is the fulfillment of the prophecies of Daniel and Isaiah.


32The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, 33its legs were iron, and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay. 34As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. 35The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.

Daniel 2:32 Context: As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass,

The whole chapter 2: Daniel 2 Matthew Henry's Commentary

If you enter Biblehub, and click &#8220;comment,&#8221; it will bring up a host of commentaries for that passage. For example:

Daniel 2:32 Commentaries: "The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze,


Isaiah 8:14 (King James 2000 Bible):

&#8220;And he shall be as a sanctuary; but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.&#8221;


Isaiah 8:14 He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.

In context, all of this chapter:
Isaiah 8 NIV


Isaiah 8:14 Commentaries: "Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


Paul agreed that Jesus as Messiah is the &#8220;stone of stumbling and the rock of offense&#8221; and Peter the disciple did also.


Romans 9:30-33 (King James Version)

30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

https://www.bible.com/bible/1/rom.9.kjv

I Peter chapter 2 verses 4-9 :

4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:


https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1pe.2.kjv


In the Catholic Public Domain Version:

7 Therefore, to you who believe, he is honor. But to those who do not believe, the stone which the builders have rejected, the same has been made into the head of the corner,
8 and a stone of offense, and a rock of scandal, to those who are offended by the Word; neither do they believe, though they also have been built upon him.


People often did not like what Jesus had to say and still do not.

Continued in Pearls Before Swine, Part 2

 

[Ellwood3]

Pearls Before Swine, Part 2


6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not cast your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they may trample them under their feet, and then, turning, they may tear you apart.

https://www.bible.com/bible/42/mat.7.cpdv


Many actively fight the Good News that He came to die as the sacrifice for sin. Sometimes the way to their hearts is to contend with them, planting some seeds that may find root at a later time. But often such people only became more convinced of their certainty nothing of value was being offered. Which is why Jesus also told His disciples He sent that if their words were not received, to leave that village, shake the dust from their feet, and go elsewhere to find more fertile ground.



New Living Translation for Matthew chapter 10, verses 14-17:

14 And whoever has neither received you, nor listened to your words, departing from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
15 Amen I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16 Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be as prudent as serpents and as simple as doves.
17 But beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. &#8230;

Whole chapter: https://www.bible.com/bible/42/mat.10.cpdv

It is not good to steal from one who is deserving to give to a ravenous beast. How many do not hear the Gospel in an understandable way even once as workers waste precious time trying to convince the barren who revel in barrenness?

It is not God&#8217;s will that people should be argued into the Kingdom, as if they are doing the Kingdom a favor by their presence. People must know God is God and be willing to lay down their anger at Him for the disappointments for which they blame Him.

Those who are unwilling to go forward with God will go forward without Him. Then they soften, finding themselves in exclusion from His gifts and His presence. But continue casting toward them what they do not value, and they will make a sport of mocking and devaluing the Good News. This serves no function for the kingdom of God.

Allow the cur to go its way, is what Jesus says. And when you see the swine relaxing in it mud, don&#8217;t anger it by forcing before it something it does not value. Don&#8217;t try forcing good pure food on one who can only profane.

You (meaning the Christ-follower) can continue to let them see your light shine, and continue sowing teachings that falls on both good ground and bad. You may pray that God heals them and that in time they will become receptive. You can ask Him to use you as He will in their lives.

For more illumination, it&#8217;s important to understand this one sentence about pearls and swine taken from its context in terms of all He said about judging and the purpose of the believer&#8217;s life. Earlier on that day in that same talk, He had said:


Matthew 5:13-16 (New Living Translation) from YouVersion online:

13&#8220;You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14&#8220;You are the light of the world&#8212;like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

SHINE by the NewsBoys. Lead Singer Peter Furler is now solo, but the group continues. This is from the Houston We Are Go DVD:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtBcjJL8ra4


Parable of the sower, Matthew chapter 13 verses 1 to 10 (New Living Translation):

3He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
&#8220;Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn&#8217;t have deep roots, they died. 7Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.&#8221;
10His disciples came and asked him, &#8220;Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?&#8221;
11He replied, &#8230;.

Whole chapter on YouVersion (which is also an App): https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.13.nlt

Download the app: https://www.bible.com/app


Jesus says we are to cast seeds even though some will fall on hard soil, then explains this is about broadly casting His truths, and some people are like good soil and it will take root and others it will not. He didn&#8217;t tell us to cast seed only on good soil, but neither did He tell us to find the worst, most resistant soil and expend much of our energies where God has not directed them. If God directs, of course do it. Otherwise do use common sense.

Yet each disciple&#8217;s agenda must be the same as God&#8217;s, because God sees into our hearts, and knows who is positioned toward the Gospel like a swine or dog.

1 Samuel 16:6 and 7, in the NLT:

6When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, &#8220;Surely this is the lord&#8217;s anointed!&#8221;
7But the lord said to Samuel, &#8220;Don&#8217;t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The lord doesn&#8217;t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart.&#8221;

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1sa.16.nlt
When God leads a follower to cease feeding someone who behaves as ungrateful swine, that follower must realize there is a place for treasures to be entrusted, and those who refuse them will find the door closed until the unreceptive person becomes willing to grow and desire the good things of God. That might require stumbling in the wasteland for a time.


Proverbs says us as a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to its folly. Christians are told to cease feeding such &#8220;dogs&#8221; for the food will not help them. As long as they are in such bondage, being forced to receive what they have come to hate will merely add to their hatred.


Proverbs 26, verses 11 and 12:

11As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness.
12There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.26.nlt


Continued in Pearls Before Swine, Part 3

 

[Ellwood3]

Pearls Before Swine, Part 3

Jesus said He was sending us out and we would be flogged and killed. We will be lied about and hated. We do not need to bring still more hatred on ourselves by fighting with people in a way Jesus did not. He said He was sending us out as sheep among wolves and told us to be innocent as doves but cunning as serpents. Much is at stake and there is little time. We need not play the enemy&#8217;s games, or be trifled with by those seeking amusement when there is work to be done.


Proverbs 3:33-35 (NLT):

33The lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.
34The lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.
35The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.3.nlt

Jesus said in Matthew 13:12 (King James Version)&#8212;this is while He explains the parable of the sower:


12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

It means, the one who keeps and uses spiritual truths will retain what they already have and in time be given more, but he who will not trust in what he has already been given will not continue to receive and in time shall lose even what he began with.

Giving pearls to swine encourages more hardness of heart, and it will put the people who will not receive in worse position than they began in.


Matthew 7:6, Jesus says (NLT):

6&#8220;Don&#8217;t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don&#8217;t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.


This is a command, with the Greek strong enough to be translated:

&#8220;Never give that which is hallowed and precious to wild, dangerous, out-of-control, wandering, nomadic, diseased , and mangy dogs. &#8230;&#8221; (Sparkling Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner, 2003)

The context of this passage is that it&#8217;s a portion of the sermon on the mount, found in the book of Matthew chapters 5 through 7.

And just before He says, in Matthew 7

1&#8220;Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
3&#8220;And why worry about a speck in your friend&#8217;s eye when you have a log in your own? 4How can you think of saying to your friend, &#8216;Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,&#8217; when you can&#8217;t see past the log in your own eye? 5Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend&#8217;s eye.
6&#8220;Don&#8217;t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don&#8217;t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

It is as He says, is there any dog or swine in you? Let Me remove it so you can help your neighbor with their own dog-and-swineness.


To view the book as a whole, the Visual Bible made the film Matthew, with Bruce Marchiano in the role of Jesus. His writings, other movies portraying Jesus, and CDs that tell how he was led to show Jesus as full of joy, and what revelations Marchiano experienced in that role, I most heartily recommend.

All of chapters 5, 6 and 7; the entire sermon on the mount

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.nlt

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.nlt

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.nlt


Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7) - with subtitles - YouTube




Last scene of Matthew with Bruce Marchiano as Jesus:

Visual Bible Gospel of Matthew - The Call - last scene - YouTube