Devine Scripture

Matthew 7:6

What does Matthew 7:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 7:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 7:6 means

This verse shifts focus, urging disciples to discern to whom they share sacred truths. 'That which is holy' and 'pearls' represent the precious truths of the Gospel and divine wisdom. 'Dogs' and 'swine' symbolize those who are hostile, contemptuous, or incapable of appreciating spiritual truths. Sharing these sacred things with such individuals, Jesus warns, risks profanation of the truth and potential harm to the messenger. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom in evangelism and spiritual conversation, recognizing that not everyone is receptive or worthy of hearing profound spiritual concepts.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Ye may not give that which is <FI>holy<Fi> 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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

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.

Context

Following the teaching on judging and hypocrisy, this verse introduces a necessary balance: while not being judgmental, believers must still exercise discretion. It acts as a bridge, moving from the internal disposition of the believer (self-examination) to external discernment in sharing truth. This counsel prevents a misunderstanding that humility means an indiscriminate sharing of sacred things, setting the context for the subsequent encouragement to seek God's wisdom through prayer.

v.5Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

v.6This passage

v.7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 11:22

    Asa ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So isa fair woman that is without discretion.

  • Matthew 22:5

    But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;

  • Proverbs 26:11

    As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So isa fool that repeateth his folly.

  • Matthew 24:10

    And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.

  • Acts 13:45

    But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

  • 2 Peter 2:22

    It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.

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