Neither cast ye your pearls before swine

 

Matthew 7:6 taught, "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." I understand the first part, but what is meant by "lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."

This is a part of the Sermon on the Mount taught by Jesus Christ and is a metaphor (“don’t give holy things to dogs” & “don’t cast pearls before swine”). The second part "lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you" explains why. Imagery is being used. Pearls are something valuable (wisdom, truth, sacred teaching). Swine (pigs) are creatures that cannot recognize the value of pearls. Dogs (in the ancient context anyway) are often wild scavengers, not beloved pets. Let's break it down:

A. “Lest they trample them under their feet…” If you throw pearls to pigs, they don’t recognize them as valuable, treat them like dirt, and step on them or crush them. Meaning people who cannot appreciate wisdom or sacred truth may treat it with contempt, mockery, or indifference.

B. "And turn again and rend you.” The word rend means to tear apart or attack violently. The idea is that once the pigs realize the pearls aren’t food, they may become frustrated or aggressive or turn on the person who threw them. Not only will some people reject or disrespect valuable truth, they may also attack, ridicule, or harm the person who offered it. Putting the whole verse together the full thought is essentially ... don’t offer sacred or valuable things to people who are incapable of appreciating them, because they will both destroy the value and may turn against you for giving it.

You could translate the whole idea like this: don’t waste profound truth on people determined to scorn it—they’ll trash it and may attack you for saying it. Subtle point many miss. This verse isn’t saying never share truth. In the broader teaching of Jesus, it’s about discernment—recognizing when someone is genuinely open vs. hostile and determined to ridicule. Knowing when not to engage is part of wisdom. Proverbs 4:7.

Until He Comes-

-Pat Phillips-