What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, "Do Not Cast Your Pearls before Swine"?
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“Do not cast your pearls before swine” is a saying that comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5:1-7:29. As part of Christ’s larger discourse on judgment and reproof, Jesus instructed His followers to respect and treasure that which is holy (the gospel) while discerning those who are receptive from those who hate the truth and who scorn, ridicule, or blaspheme the name of Jesus and the salvation He so graciously offers. Accordingly, Christians of all ages are encouraged to proclaim the good news of salvation but to be prepared to walk away, lest their holy, precious pearl be trampled upon by the “dogs” and “swine” of this world.
Where in the Bible Did Jesus Say, “Do Not Cast Your Pearls Before Swine?”
The phrase “do not cast your pearls before swine” is found in Matthew 7:6 and is part of Jesus’ larger Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:1-7:29).
Traditionally believed to have been delivered on the grassy slopes of a hill overlooking the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, perhaps along the Plain of Gennesaret or the Korazim Plateau, Christ’s Sermon on the Mount is one of the major discourses recorded in Matthew's gospel and one of the longest of Jesus’ recorded sermons in the Bible. Today, the Sermon on the Mount is widely regarded as one of the greatest sermons ever given.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus proved to be an incredible communicator and exceptional teacher. Even His enemies acknowledged the theological depth of His teachings and the authority by which He spoke (see Matthew 7:29; Matthew 22:23-33; Mark 1:22-23; and John 12:49-50). And as a result, many in Galilee, Judea, and the surrounding regions came to hear Jesus teach.
During Jesus’ early ministry in Galilee, Matthew records that, “when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them.” (Matthew 5:1)
The teachings within the Sermon on the Mount include:
- The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12).
- a call to Christ’s followers to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-20).
- how Jesus came to “fulfill, not abolish” the Law (Matthew 5:17-20).
- Christ’s exposition of the Law regarding personal relationships (Matthew 5:21-48).
- teachings on practical religion and “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:8-13).
- teachings on fasting (Matthew 6:16-18).
- teachings on religion and possessions (Matthew 6:19-24).
- the cure for anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34).
- teachings on human relationships, judging others, and “The Golden Rule” (Matthew 7:1-12).
- Jesus’ conclusion on righteousness and true salvation (Matthew 7:13-29).
What Is the Context of the Sermon on the Mount?
By itself, the meaning of Jesus’ call to not “cast your pearls before swine” may not be immediately clear. Some context is, therefore, required.
In the verses preceding Matthew 7:6, Jesus spoke against judging others. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” He said, “for in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
At its core, this was a straightforward command to avoid any form of hypocritical, self-righteous, or unfair judgment of others. It is not uncommon, after all, to hold others to a standard we ourselves refuse to abide by. Christ reproved this kind of hypocrisy when addressing the self-righteous legalism of the Pharisees and religious leaders, who presented themselves as holy and righteous on the outside, but on the inside, were full of wickedness and “the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” (see Matthew 23:27-28)
At another point in His ministry, Jesus had also intervened in the attempted stoning of a woman caught in adultery (see John 8:1-11). When her accusers asked if it was unlawful to stone her in an attempt to trap Jesus in His words, Jesus instead replied, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7) He then turned to the woman and said, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10)
Clearly, Jesus was not endorsing or downplaying sin. He acknowledged the woman’s sin and even called her to repentance. However, His message was also a call for us to examine our own hearts before we are quick to judge and condemn others.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus reminded us that we are all sinful and in need of a Savior (see Romans 3:23). This is reiterated in His Sermon on the Mount.
The Law, which many in Israel relied on as the standard of holy living and righteousness, was not given to save. The Law only reveals and exposes sin. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exposited the true nature of the Law, exposing how impossible its demands really are. Pastor John MacArthur also notes that, in the Sermon on the Mount, “Christ plumbs the depth of the law, showing that its true demands go far beyond the surface meaning of the words (see Matthew 5:28-44) and set a standard that is higher than the most diligent students of the law have realized” (1128).
Salvation can never be the product of human merit or effort. We are all dependent on divine grace. This informs Jesus’ teaching on judging others in Matthew 7.
Unfortunately, many have taken Christ’s command to “not judge” to mean that Christians are not allowed to tell anyone they are wrong. In fact, “don’t judge” has become one of the most common weapons used against Christians to silence those who would dare speak out against sin. That is not Christ’s intention or the meaning behind these verses.
Jesus did not prohibit all kinds of judgment. In the Sermon on the Mount, He actually distinguished between judgment and discernment, instructing His followers to exercise a righteous kind of judgment when discerning good from evil and sin from wickedness. Some form of judgment is required to apply the principles that followed.
For example, Jesus taught us to “remove the plank from our own eyes” before we call attention to the “speck of sawdust” in our brother’s eye. “You hypocrite” Jesus proclaimed, “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)
Again, this was a call for humility and discernment, not silence in the face of sin, especially the sin of a brother or sister. Rather, we must first submit ourselves to God and allow Him to cleanse us of all unrighteousness so that we may see more clearly and gain the discernment required to help others identify harmful sin in their own lives and remove it accordingly.
It is not judgment or condemnation that motivates the faithful followers of Christ to help free their brothers and sisters from sin, even in its smallest forms. It is compassion.
And yet, discernment of those who are in Christ versus those who are still of the world is required. This leads directly to Jesus’ saying, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.” (Matthew 7:6; NIV)
What Is the Meaning of the Saying, “Do Not Cast Your Pearls Before Swine?”
In biblical times, dogs, like pigs, were often seen as dirty, unclean animals. Most were regarded as mongrels and scavengers and not welcome in the house or around children. Pigs were, of course, unclean in every sense of the word.
The unclean nature of dogs is referenced in another biblical analogy in Proverbs 26:11, which says, “as a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” Peter used the same disgusting image in 2 Peter 2:22 when he wrote about false prophets and teachers.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used the analogy of unclean animals, in this case “dogs” and “swine,” to describe those who reject the truth and scorn the invitation to become sons of God when it is presented to them.
In contrast, the children of God have left the mire, been washed clean, and entered into the Father’s house. These have received the greatest treasure known to mankind, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged His followers to discern the “dogs” and “swine” from the true children of God. The apostle John would write, “but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12) Unfortunately, not everyone will receive Jesus and become “children of God.”
With this in mind, Jesus reminded His disciples to respect and treasure the gospel which they have received, comparing it to a priceless pearl (see also Matthew 13:45-46).
Accordingly, it would be unwise, unfruitful, and even disrespectful to “give what is holy to dogs” or toss something so valuable as a priceless pearl to the pigs to be trampled on.
Of course, this does not contradict Jesus’ prior principle of loving our enemies (see Matthew 5:44).
It does not give Christians permission to conceal the gospel or hide the light they have been given from the world (see Matthew 5:14-16).
It also does not encourage judgment or condemnation of those hastily and unfairly labeled “dogs” or “swine”. Careful and evidential discernment at the behest of the Holy Spirit is required to distinguish one’s true brothers from those who are not.
However, Christians are nonetheless called to respect that which is holy (the gospel) by not continuing to “cast their pearls before swine.”
In the words of the renowned commentator Matthew Henry, “we must not go about to give instructions, counsels, or rebukes, much less comforts, to hardened scorners, to whom it will certainly do no good, but who will be exasperated and enraged at us.”
When it comes to those who are committed to rejecting, ridiculing, and even blaspheming the name of Christ and the gospel when preached to them, we must be content to walk away and direct our words and labor elsewhere. Accordingly, “these sin against the remedy… for who shall heal and help those that will not be healed and helped.” (Matthew Henry)
Of course, Jesus and His disciples preached the gospel wherever they went. They went to the sinner, the sick, and those in need of salvation. Christ’s own commission to His followers was also to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
However, when dealing with the unreceptive and unrepentant, especially those who hate the truth and scorn the instruction and reproof of the Father, Jesus instructed His followers to “shake the dust from their feet” (see Matthew 10:1-15) and move on. Not everyone is worthy of the gospel.
We see this throughout the New Testament. Christians should not continue harass or exasperate those who’ve made it clear they want no part in the kingdom of God.
Those who are “drawn by the Father to the Son” (see John 6:44) will always be grateful for the message of salvation and receptive of those who carry it. The ministry of Christ’s faithful will also bear more fruit when the seed is sown amongst fertile soil (see Matthew 13:1-23).
Christians are not responsible for how others respond to the gospel. We cannot force others to listen, receive, or repent. We are called to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and testify of the good news of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. But just as the pigs will never appreciate the value of pearls thrown in their pen, so will those who cling to their sin fail to acknowledge or appreciate all that Christ has done for them.
Those who persist in “throwing the gospel” (their pearls) to those who’ve rejected it might as well be throwing rocks. In time, the “swine” will trample on that which they’ve been given. Christ taught that the gospel is far too holy and precious to be treated as such. Furthermore, the offended may eventually “turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6).
Sometimes, it is better to move on. There are many who have yet to hear the gospel and who are far more eager (and ready) to receive the gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
And although Jesus warned that His followers would face hatred, rejection, and persecution in this life (see Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 10:16-18; John 16:33), His Sermon on the Mount also reveals that “our Lord Jesus is very tender of the safety of His people, and would not have them needlessly to expose themselves to the fury of those that will turn again and rend them… precious is the blood of His subjects to Him” (Matthew Henry).
For this reason, and out of reverence for that which is holy and precious, Christians must not “cast their pearls before swine.”
Additional Resources:
What Does “Do Not Cast Your Pearls Before Swine” Mean in Matthew 7:6?
What is the Sermon on the Mount?
A Deeper Look at the Sermon on the Mount
How Do We Show Love to Toxic People?
3 Ways Christians Can Love Their Enemies
What Does “Judge Not, That Ye Be Judged” Actually Mean in the Bible?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Bruno Guerreiro
