Matthew 7:6

The disciple’s relationship to antagonists 7:6

Jesus’ disciples had a responsibility to pass their knowledge of the kingdom on to others so they, too, could prepare for it. Jesus gave them directions about this responsibility in this verse. This exhortation balances the one He just gave (Matthew 7:1-5). The disciples could be too naive and fail to be discerning (cf. Matthew 5:43-47).

Pigs were typically unclean, wild, vicious animals. Likewise most dogs were not domestic pets but unclean, wild, despised creatures. This verse contains a chiastic construction. The dogs turn and tear to pieces those who give them special gifts, and the pigs trample under foot the pearls thrown before them (cf. Proverbs 11:22). What is holy and the pearls in this illustration evidently represent the good news announcing the kingdom. The pigs and dogs probably do not represent all Gentiles but people of any race who react to the good news by rejecting and turning against those who bring it to them (cf. Matthew 10:14; Matthew 15:14). [Note: Cf. Calvin, 1:349.]

"As with other parts of Jesus’ teaching, the point is not an absolute prohibition, because then the disciple could not share the gospel with those who are not responsive. Rather, the point is that the disciple is not obligated to share with those who are hard-hearted." [Note: Bock, Jesus according . . ., p. 146. Cf. Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 23:9.]