Matthew 7:6 · Bible study
Matthew 7:6 Commentary: Holy Things, Dogs, and Swine
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What does Jesus mean by 'dogs' and 'swine'? This study explores the original Greek, historical context, and how to apply this difficult command.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Withhold sacred truth from those who are hostile or impure, to protect both the truth and yourself.
- Key words: hagion (holy thing), margaritas (pearls), kusin (dogs), choirōn (pigs).
- Main debate: Whether this applies to evangelism, church discipline, or personal correction.
- Theological theme: Wisdom and discernment in the life of the disciple.
- Best use: A caution against forcing spiritual truths on those who will only abuse them.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
“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.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`Ye may not give that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before the swine, that they may not trample them among their feet, and having turned--may rend you.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them with their feet, and turning round rend you.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
No deis lo santo á los perros, ni echéis vuestras perlas delante de los puercos; porque no las rehuellen con sus pies, y vuelvan y os despedacen.
Não deis o que é santo aos cães, nem lanceis vossas pérolas diante dos porcos, para não acontecer de as pisarem com os pés e, virando-se, vos despedacem.
Ne donnez pas les choses saintes aux chiens, et ne jetez pas vos perles devant les pourceaux, de peur qu’ ils ne les foulent aux pieds, ne se retournent et ne vous déchirent.
Ihr sollt das Heiligtum nicht den Hunden geben, und eure Perlen nicht vor die Säue werfen, auf daß sie dieselben nicht zertreten mit ihren Füßen und sich wenden und euch zerreißen.
Geeft het heilige den honden niet, noch werpt uw paarlen voor de zwijnen; opdat zij niet te eniger tijd dezelve met hun voeten vertreden, en zich omkerende, u verscheuren.
Non date ciò ch’è santo ai cani e non gettate le vostre perle dinanzi ai porci, che talora non le pestino co’ piedi e rivolti contro a voi non vi sbranino.
Nie dawajcie świętego psom, ani miećcie pereł waszych przed świnie, by ich snać nie podeptały nogami swemi, i obróciwszy się nie rozszarpały was.
Не давайте святыни псам и не бросайте жемчуга вашего перед свиньями, чтобы они не попрали его ногами своими и, обратившись, не растерзали вас.
不要 把聖 物 給 狗，也不要 把你們的 珍珠 丟 在豬 前，恐怕 牠踐踏了 珍珠， 轉過來 咬 你們。」
Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, or put your jewels before pigs, for fear that they will be crushed under foot by the pigs whose attack will then be made against you.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 7:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators largely agree that this verse calls for wise discretion in sharing sacred truths. The animals, dogs and pigs, are unclean creatures, used in Jewish tradition to symbolize people who are hostile, impure, or contemptuous toward God. The 'holy' (τὸ ἅγιον) and 'pearls' (τοὺς μαργαρῖτας) refer, in context, to the precious truths of the gospel, perhaps specifically to reproof or teaching. Barnes notes the 'introverted parallelism': the swine trample the pearls, and the dogs turn to rend the giver. Calvin emphasizes that these are not casual sinners but those whose contempt is proven and incurable, though he cautions against applying the label too hastily. Across traditions, the core meaning stands: Christians must exercise spiritual discernment, not casting valuable instruction before those who will only abuse it and injure the messenger.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Hardened opposers view: Points to Matthew 15:26 and Philippians 3:2 where dogs are false teachers; supported by Calvin, Barnes
- Sensual and impure view: Focuses on pigs as unclean animals and links to 2 Peter 2:22; supported by Wesley, Clarke
- Metaphor for reproof: Sees the verse primarily in the context of correction (Proverbs 9:7–8); supported by Gill
What is clear: Jesus commands His disciples to exercise wisdom and discretion, not to keep forcing sacred truth on those whose only response is contempt and violence.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of dogs and swine | They represent people who are spiritually hostile, impure, or contemptuous toward the truth. | Some traditions (Calvin, many Reformed) specify only those whose contempt is incurably hardened, while others (some Wesleyan/Arminian) include people habitually wallowing in sin. Both agree we must not apply the label too quickly. |
| What 'holy' and 'pearls' refer to | They represent sacred truths, gospel doctrine, reproof, or the ordinances of God. | Some see a primary reference to sacrificial meat (Clarke) or the Lord's Supper; others take it broadly as any deep spiritual teaching (Barnes, Cambridge). |
| Coexistence with the Great Commission | This verse does not forbid preaching the gospel to all people. | Reformed tradition (Calvin) says the command applies only when there is clear evidence of hardened contempt; others argue it governs ongoing instruction and correction after initial evangelism. |
| Introverted parallelism | The verse exhibits a literary structure where the two warnings are cross-matched (swine trample, dogs rend). | Some (Clarke, Wesley) propose a transposition of the text itself, while others see this as a poetic feature and do not reorder the words. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In first-century Palestine, dogs were not the tame pets we know. They were feral scavengers that roamed streets and garbage dumps, often diseased and dangerous. Swine were equally detestable; pigs were unclean animals under Jewish law, and herding them was forbidden. To call someone a 'dog' or 'pig' was a grave insult, implying moral uncleanness and hostility. Vincent's Word Studies describes the scene behind the metaphor: a priest tossing consecrated meat to dogs, or a man throwing seed-pearls to pigs, who rush upon them, find them inedible, then trample them and turn their tusks on the thrower.
This verse sits in a crucial section of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has just warned against hypocritical judging (vv.1, 5), calling for self-examination before addressing others’ faults. Now He adds a counterbalance: even when you have removed the beam from your own eye, you must still use discernment. Not everyone is ready to receive correction or the deep things of God. The command is not to abandon the careless, but to avoid giving what is sacred to those who will only desecrate it and attack the giver. This wisdom echoes Proverbs 9:7, 8, which says not to reprove a mocker.
Some early commentators, like Adam Clarke, proposed that Matthew 7:6 contains a transposition: the warning about dogs turning to rend belongs with the holy things, and the warning about swine trampling belongs with the pearls. This poetic structure, also described by Barnes, highlights the dual danger: some people will attack you, others will despise the gift. In either case, the disciple must read the room.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Matthew 7:6. The verse is stable across the major manuscript traditions. The only minor variation is the inclusion or omission of 'again' in the phrase 'turn again and rend you' (WEB, KJV); the Greek στραφέντες means 'having turned,' and the adverb is not present in the original, as Vincent and the Revised Version note.
Reception History
In the early church, this verse was often applied to the sacraments, especially baptism and the Eucharist, to guard them from profanation by those not yet initiated or living in open sin. The Didache (c. AD 100) cites this passage to restrict participation in the Lord's Supper. During the Reformation, Calvin and others applied it primarily to preaching, teaching that ministers must discern when to cease speaking to hardened scoffers. In modern evangelical tradition, the verse is frequently used to counsel Christians about sharing deep personal testimonies or corrective words with those who will only mock them. Across eras, the overarching reading has remained: sacred things deserve protection, and wise disciples know when to be silent.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Know what is holy. The 'holy' and 'pearls' are the precious truths of the Gospel, words of life, correction, and wisdom. We cannot share what we do not value. Jesus assumes we handle sacred things with care.
- Know the company. Dogs and swine represent those whose hardened contempt or deep impurity makes them unreceptive and even dangerous. This is not a license to label everyone, but a call to spiritual sensitivity.
- Know the cost. Casting pearls before swine wastes the gift and invites injury. Wisdom protects the treasure and the messenger. Jesus does not command us to become doormats for abusive rejection.
Five-point outline
- Context. Coming after the warning against hypocritical judging, this verse adds discernment: not everyone is ready to receive correction.
- Metaphor. The ceremonial cleanness of holy things contrasts with the uncleanness of dogs and pigs. It is a violation of sacred order to mingle them.
- Reaction. Swine trample what they do not value; dogs turn and tear. Both reactions are natural to these animals, and to certain people.
- Example. Jesus Himself refused to answer Herod (Luke 23:9) and told His disciples to shake the dust off their feet (Matthew 10:14). There is a time to stop speaking.
- Balance. This command coexists with the Great Commission: we preach to all, but we are not called to force truth on those who only want to destroy it.
Illustration hooks
- A skilled jeweler does not scatter diamonds in a pigpen. He presents them to those who can appreciate their worth.
- A nurse does not force medicine into a patient who is violently thrashing and knocking it away. She waits for a calmer moment.
- A gardener does not toss expensive seed onto rocky ground, knowing it will be trampled or scorched.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know when someone is a 'dog' or 'swine'? Am I allowed to judge that after being told not to judge?
- Does this mean we should stop evangelizing people who seem hostile? What about loving our enemies?
- Have I ever caused someone to 'trample' the gospel by presenting it carelessly or without prayer?
Leading a Discussion
This passage follows Jesus’ command to remove the beam from your own eye before addressing the speck in your brother’s. But once your vision is clear, you still need wisdom: not everyone is ready to receive correction or the deep truths of the Kingdom. This verse does not cancel the Great Commission; it protects the purity of the gospel and the messenger.
Discussion questions
- In your own words, what is Jesus warning against in verse 6? (Observation)
- Why do you think Jesus uses unclean animals, dogs and pigs, to describe the people in view? (Interpretation)
- Look at Proverbs 9:7, 8. How does that Old Testament wisdom parallel this teaching? (Cross-reference)
- How would you explain the difference between 'judging' (vv.1, 5) and 'exercising discernment' (v.6)? (Interpretation)
- Can you think of a time when you kept sharing truth with someone who only became angrier or more hardened? What did you learn? (Application)
- How does this verse change the way you pray for those who oppose the gospel? (Application)
- What safeguards can we put in place so we do not use this verse as an excuse to give up on people too quickly? (Application)
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Proverbs 9:7 | One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse. |
| Proverbs 9:8 | Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you. |
| Proverbs 11:22 | Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. |
| Proverbs 23:9 | Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. |
| Proverbs 26:11 | As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. |
| Matthew 10:14 | Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. |
| Matthew 10:15 | Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. |
| Matthew 15:26 | But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
11 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes a deliberate transposition in the verse: the warning that dogs may turn and rend refers to giving what is holy, while swine trampling pearls refers to casting pearls. He applies this to the sacred ordinances of the church, which should not be offered to
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes interprets the "holy" and "pearls" as gospel doctrine, and "dogs" and "swine" as two distinct types of hostile people. Violent, abusive opponents will turn and attack you, while corrupt, sensual people will trample your teaching, seeing no value in it. He also notes the verse's introverted parallelism, where the first and last lines pair with the second and third.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that the warning about casting pearls before swine targets only those who show unmistakable, hardened contempt for God. Since teachers cannot always tell who is a child of God, they should offer the gospel to everyone. But when clear evidence of incurable rejection appears, the instruction applies.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible School notes that while harsh judgment is forbidden, Christians must still exercise careful discernment. Holy truths and deep spiritual insights should not be given to those who are unreceptive and will only despise them. Failing to distinguish between the receptive and the hostile does great harm to the cause of religion.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Giue ye not that which is holy, to dogges, neither cast ye your pearles before swine, lest they treade them vnder their feete, and turning againe, all to rent you.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill argues that the warning about dogs and swine primarily concerns reproof, not evangelism. He sees it as a call to be cautious when correcting those who show no sign of receiving it, lest they despise the rebuke and turn to harm the one giving it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB cautions that while dogs and swine represent those hostile or coarse toward Christianity, believers must not too readily label their neighbors this way to avoid helping them. The warning against forcing religion on the unholy should not become an excuse for neglecting genuine efforts to do good.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange treats verses 1 through 6 as a single unit showing two opposite sins that spring from the same root: harsh, censorious judgment on one side and throwing holy things to unworthy people on the other. Both are symptoms of a worldly, anxious heart that has lost its confidence in God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry distinguishes between public officers who rightly judge and private believers who must not. The command forbids us from setting ourselves up as judges over others, speaking evil of them, or despising them. We are to judge ourselves, not our brothers.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws out the brutal realism behind both images: a temple priest tossing sacrificial meat to scavenging dogs, and a rich man scattering seed-pearls to half-wild swine. The pigs rush at the pearls, discover the trick, trample them, and then turn with a sharp boar-like motion to tear the man with their tusks.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the passage transposes its two warnings, treating the latter first. He applies this to spiritual discretion: avoid debating deep doctrines with those wallowing in sin, and avoid recounting personal experiences to prof