The Sermon on the Mount is packed with practical teaching, which will benefit the Christian as he grows in applying its contents. However, some portions of the sermon are more easily understood than others. For instance, it is easy to understand that the Christian must love his enemy. But what does it mean when Jesus tells the Christian to give the other cheek to someone who has slapped him? Likewise, it is easy to understand that the Christian must not get angry with his brother. But what does it mean when Jesus says God will not forgive those who do not forgive?
As one reads through the Sermon on the Mount, he will eventually get to a passage that speaks of casting pearls before swine. The passage’s meaning is somewhat challenging and will be the focus of this article. Scripture says, “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” (KJV, Matt. 7:6). So what does it mean when the Christian is told not to give dogs what is holy or cast his pearl before swine?
Jesus’ example
First, it is necessary to look at the example of Jesus. When Jesus returned to Nazareth, He taught the people in the synagogue. While the people marveled at Jesus’ teaching, they soon saw Jesus as merely Joseph and Mary’s son. The people discredited Jesus’ ministry, and in response to Jesus’ teaching, it is said, “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house” (Matt. 13:56-57). The Nazarenes were offended by Jesus. At first, they marveled over Jesus’ teaching then they explained it away. Thus, they were offended, and Jesus recognized their disdain over the truth.
Scripture goes on to say, “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matt. 13:58). The response of the people was a sign of their unbelief. Could Jesus have performed miracles if he desired? Certainly! However, Jesus chose not to because of their response to Him.
Paul’s warning
Next, we see Paul’s warning. Scripture says, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the consision” (Phil. 3:2). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells the Christian not to give to dogs that which is holy. Here we see Paul warning the Christian about the dogs when he says, “Beware of the dogs…” (3:2). Not only must the Christian be concerned about not giving what is holy to the dogs, but he must also beware of the dogs. In context, Paul is referring to the Judaizers as dogs.
The historical nature of dogs
More could be said about the dogs of Scripture. The Bible says, “And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied” (Ps. 59:14-15). Not much had changed when Jesus spoke his words in the Sermon on the Mount. The dogs of the first century were seen as scavengers. They would roam the streets and were essentially unclean.
The Jews frequently referred to Gentiles as dogs. Nevertheless, in context, Jesus declared those who expressed hatred for the truth were much like the wild, unclean animals that roamed the streets.
The despised dogs
Dogs were often despised in Scripture. When David went to face Goliath, we read, “And the Philistine said to David, Am I a dog, that though comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods” (1 Sam. 17:43). David spoke prophetically of Christ on the cross when he said, “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and feet” (Ps. 22:16). Thus, the assembly of the wicked that enclosed Christ is equated with dogs circling Jesus at His crucifixion.
Finally, we are told, “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly” (Prov. 26:11). Yet again, we see the connection being negative. The dog is used to illustrate the fool. In this sense, Jesus tells the Christian that when someone acts like a fool and expresses hatred toward the truth, the Christian must cease giving the dog what is holy.
The rejected pigs
Jesus also tells the Christian not to cast his pearls before pigs. Pigs were widely held in Jewish tradition and law to be unclean animals. The pig was deemed an outcast animal as it was eaten by pagan nations but not the Jew. Thus, the pig was unclean and associated with Gentile activity. It was despised and wallowed in its own filth. As a result, Jesus used the pig to illustrate the rejecter of the truth.
Love Your Neighbor
If all Jesus said could be summed up in Matthew 7:6, the Christian would likely feel justified in approaching the lost with anger and resentment. He would likely view the unbeliever as a dog and a pig without much consideration to the contrary. However, Jesus had much more to say. We read, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). Love must be foundational for faithful ministry to the lost. Jesus did not share Matthew 7:6 with the thought of expressing hatred toward those who reject the truth. Instead, Jesus desired love, prayer, and blessing to saturate every moment of the ministry.
The pearl
The pearl which Christ speaks of must be seen as precious. The pearl had great worth. Jesus had said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matt. 13:45-46). Here we see the reception of the pearl, which God demands. The pearl must be treasured. The pearl must take first importance in the life of man. When someone does not receive the pearl for what it is, Jesus tells the messenger to move on.
Move forward
It can be helpful to see Jesus’ teaching in action. In Matthew 10:14, we gain another glimpse of Jesus’ teaching with more practical application. The context is Jesus sending out the twelve disciples and giving them instructions before they go. Jesus said, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matt. 10:14). Shaking the dust off their feet was a notable sign that the people had rejected the message and were viewed as pagans.
Elsewhere we read, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:46). Paul and Barnabas ministered unto the Jews. Nevertheless, the rejection of the message resulted in their turning from the Jews to the Gentiles.
Conclusion
The pearl and that which is holy is the message of the Gospel. Jesus said that the Christian must not give the Gospel to those who continue to express hatred toward the truth. However, the Christian must always love, bless, and pray. While the Gospel must be proclaimed to the lost, there is also a time in which the Christian must turn from sharing the truth with one who hates the truth to someone who may be more receptive. All of this takes wisdom, and the Christian should pray for wisdom amid his ministry.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for the Gospel. Help me to know how to share Your message and approach my sharing with wisdom. You are worthy of being spoken of, accepted, and received. May I learn from the words of Christ and the examples found in Scripture? In Jesus’ name, Amen.