Rabbis often referred to important ideas or Scripture verses as pearls. The mysteries of the kingdom of God (13:11) are holy (see Exodus 29:33; Leviticus 2:3; 22:10–16; Numbers 18:8–10).
do not give dogs what is holy: Jews often referred to non-Jewish (Gentile) people as dogs or pigs because these animals were ceremonially unclean (Matthew 15:26; Psalm 22:16, 20; Leviticus 11). Some think this means that many Gentiles would not accept the message of the kingdom. Others see it as a warning about sharing the message of the kingdom with resistant Jewish leaders (see Matthew 5:20; 10:11–14; see also Hebrews 10:29). It could be a warning to unbelievers in general (see Matthew 18:17; see also 1 Corinthians 2:13–16; 2 Peter 2:21–22).