Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Following His teaching on avoiding hypocritical judgment (Mt 7:1–5), Jesus immediately offers what may seem like an abrupt change in tone: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Mt 7:6).
To modern ears, this verse may sound harsh or exclusionary, but it is deeply rooted in both biblical imagery and divine wisdom. In Jewish culture, “dogs” and “swine” were not simply unclean animals—they symbolized those who rejected or mocked sacred things. “What is holy” likely refers to sacrificial offerings or even the Eucharist, while “pearls” represent the precious truths of the Kingdom (cf. Mt 13:45–46).
Jesus’ teaching here is not a contradiction of His earlier warning against judging others. Rather, it is a complement to it. While we must not condemn others self-righteously, we are also called to discern when and how we present sacred truths, particularly when they are likely to be ridiculed or profaned. As the footnotes in the NABRE note, this verse is a caution against indiscriminate evangelization—not because the Gospel is not for all, but because hearts must be open to receive it (cf. Mt 13:10–15).
The early Church understood this well. The Didache, a first-century Christian catechism, cited this verse when instructing that only the baptized should receive the Eucharist: “Let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist unless they have been baptized... for it was concerning this that the Lord said, ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs’” (Didache 9.5).
This practice was not meant to exclude, but to uphold reverence. It expressed the belief that the mysteries of God must be approached with preparation, humility, and faith.
Jesus is calling us to a holy discernment. The Gospel is not to be hidden—but neither is it to be cheapened. Sharing sacred truths with those who are hostile, mocking, or willfully unprepared can result not only in rejection, but in further hardening of hearts. This principle echoes Proverbs 9:8: “Do not rebuke the arrogant, lest they hate you; rebuke the wise, and they will love you.”
The Church has long held that while Christ came for all, not all are immediately disposed to receive Him. This is why instruction in the faith comes before participating in the sacred mysteries, why the Lord’s Supper is approached with reverence and care, and why sharing the message of Jesus must be done with both courage and wisdom (cf. Mt 10:14, 16).
Almighty God, teach me how to speak Your truth with wisdom and love. Give me discernment to know when to be silent, when to speak, and how to offer what is holy with reverence. May my witness never be careless, but always rooted in awe of Your mysteries. Through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources and References:
• The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
• A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Orchard et al. (1953).
• The Navarre Bible: Matthew, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008).
• The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (2018).
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§1075, 1322–1327, 2039.
• Proverbs 9:8; Matthew 7:6; 10:14, 16; 13:10–15; 13:45–46.
• The Didache, 1st c. Christian catechesis, ch. 9.
• St. Thomas Aquinas, Catena Aurea on Mt 7:6.
• St. Augustine, Tractates on John, Tractate 96.
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