Matthew 7:6

Translations

Modern

Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Traditional

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.

Literal

Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before the pigs, lest they will trample them among their feet and, having turned, tear you to pieces.

Latin

Nolite dare sanctum canibus: neque mittatis margaritas vestras ante porcos, ne forte conculcent eas pedibus suis, et conversi dirumpant vos.

Original

Greek

English

Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Notes

Matthew 7:6

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses

Events

Sermon on the Mountc. AD 28

Related verses

Proverbs 9:7–8
He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.
Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Matthew 10:14–15
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Matthew 15:26
But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
Acts 13:45–47
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
Philippians 3:2
Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh!
Hebrews 10:29
How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
2 Peter 2:22
Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
2 Timothy 4:14–15
Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
Proverbs 11:22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
Matthew 24:10
At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

Matthew 7:6

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