Matthew 7:6

Matthew 7:6 is the sixth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse contains an ambiuous warning about placing "pearls before swine."

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:

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.

The World English Bible translates the passage as:

“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.

This well known verse, which has no parallel elsewhere in the New Testament, is a difficult one to interpret, as it seems to contradict a some basic Christian tenets. How it is linked to the previous and proceeding verses is also in question.

At the time both dogs and pigs were poorly regarded. Dogs were part of society, but were half wild and roamed the region in packs that were sometimes dangerous to humans. They were an unclean and would eat what ever scraps and carrion they came across. Pigs were the quintessential unclean animal and were closely associated with the Gentile communities in the region which kept them in large numbers. Pearls, by contrast, were a luxury of extreme value.

The metaphor seems to be teaching against giving what is holy to those who do not appreciate it. Animals such as dogs and pigs can not appreciate religion, and this verse implies that there is some class of humans who cannot either. What this class is is a difficult question, as one of the dominant ideas in Christian though is its universalism. This verse also seems to contradict what had just gone before. Jesus has just spent five verses attacking the judging and condemning of others, but in this verse states that some section of the populace can be judged and found equal to dogs and swine.

Some scholars have argued that dogs and pigs represent Gentiles and heathens, and that this verse is rare relic demonstrating that Jesus' original message was intended only for the Jews. In Jewish literature heathens were often compared to dogs, and the unclean pig was a Jewish symbol for the Roman Empire. In 2 Peter 2:22 dogs and swine quite clearly refers to heretics. According to Schweizer this verse was used by Jewish Christians to attack the Gentile churches, to argue that Gentile Christians would turn on the Jews rejecting their laws and destroying Israel. Another view, that was also held by some early Christians, was that some parts of Christianity, such as the secrets of the Eucharist, should be kept secret from all but a chosen few. This followed the hierarchical patterns of the various mystery cults that were popular at the time in the Roman Empire.

As Morris points out this verse can also been read as a reasonable limit on evangelism. If a population of individual is not open to Christianity leave and find a more receptive audience. As Morris points out Jesus was silent before Herod and Peter abandoned the unsympathetic city of Corinth. Fowler links this to the earlier discussion of judgment. One should not judge severely, but there is a point at which any reasonable person will realize that those they are dealing with are dogs and swine.

The alternate interpretation is that dogs and pigs are not metaphors for some group of people, but for the unholy in general. This verse is not about excluding some group from God's teaching, but rather ensuring that those things that are Gods are kept holy. Thus the Temple is kept clean, religious meals treated with respect, and holy days honored and kept separate from the turbulence and impiety of daily life.

Another question raised by this metaphor is what link there is between pearls and pigs. Hill notes that some scholars have argued that pearls is actually a mistranslation. One suggestion is that the actual word refers to a gold ring, and that this verse is linked to the metaphor found in Proverbs 11:22. Alternatively the word pearls can be seen as a reference to the food prepared on holy days, which would never have been given to swine. Alternatively the metaphor may be a reference to the immense appetites of pigs, and to how enraged they will be when they discover they cannot eat the pearls and since they have no understanding of their greater value will turn on the giver.

The phrase "pearls before swine" has become a common expression in English. There is a Pearls Before Swine comic strip, a Pearls Before Swine American psychedelic folk band, and Pearls Before Swine is an alternate title for Kurt Vonnegut's novel God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater.

References

• Fowler, Harold. The Gospel of Matthew: Volume One. Joplin: College Press, 1968
• Hill, David. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981
• Luz, Ulrich. Matthew 1-7: A Commentary. trans. Wilhlem C. Linss. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortess, 1989.
• Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to Matthew. Grand Rapids: W.B. Eerdmans, 1992.
• Schweizer, Eduard. The Good News According to Matthew. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1975

Gospel of Matthew
Preceded by: Matthew 7:5	Chapter 7	Followed by: Matthew 7:7