“Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise, they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.” – Matthew 7:6

Initially, this verse appeared out of place for me.

In Matthew 7:1–5, Jesus uses the well-known analogy of the “speck” and the “log” in the eye to sternly warn against judging others.

Then, suddenly, He seems to tell us not to throw something holy and valuable at certain people.

This apparent contradiction has led some scholars and readers to wonder if the verse was sort of misplaced.

However, a close look at the context and literary structure of the Sermon on the Mount from Chapter 5 reveals that the verse is not misplaced at all; rather, it serves two purposes: it not only acts as a crucial clarification of the previous teaching, but also wraps up the previous section and acts as a bridge that marks the transition to the final section of the sermon.

This verse, with its vivid and powerful imagery of ‘dogs’ and ‘pigs,’ serves as a memorable concluding point to the previous sections – from the Beatitudes (Chapter 5); to acts of piety and the basic ethics of Christian life (Chapter 6), to judging others (7:1-5).

Some scholars say that as a great Teacher, Jesus was able to read the body language of some of His listeners and thus concluded that many of them were regarding His teachings as inept and unpracticable.

However, Jesus considered the truths and spiritual insights He preached as precious ‘pearls’ that some people would disregard as useless and worthless, and would turn on Him with hostility, verbal abuse, or even violence.

The message here is clear – the wisdom of God’s Word/Gospel is a holy and valuable ‘pearl’ so it should not be profaned by forcing it down the throats of people who will treat it with contempt.

If your listeners are openly mocking, belittling your message, or using the conversation as an opportunity for verbal abuse, you may be ‘casting pearls before swine.’

That’s why in a latter teaching, Jesus told His disciples that if a town or household rejects their message, they should leave and move on.

It’s an act of respect for their free will and a recognition that your time is better spent with those who are more receptive.

In short, Jesus is teaching us to be shrewd and wise, not simple-minded.

While the love of God is for all, it is a gift – a valuable pearl – that must be received willingly by those who value and appreciate it.

Not everyone is ready to hear the tenets of the gospel message. Some are hostile, not just skeptical.

If someone is genuinely curious and asks questions, they are likely open.

If they are openly mocking, belittling your beliefs, or using the conversation as an opportunity for verbal abuse, you may be ‘casting pearls before swine.’

If a discussion about God becomes a pointless argument, a shouting match, or an opportunity for someone to ridicule your faith, it’s a sign to disengage.

It’s not a defeat; it’s a wise preservation of your energy, sanity, and the sanctity of the message of the Gospel.

Instead of giving a ‘pearl’ of profound theological truth, a better approach might be to simply show love and kindness.

A person who is hostile to the Gospel might be open to a helping hand in form of clothing, food or treatment.

This is a subtle way of “giving a cup of cold water” without “casting precious pearls” until such a time when they are ready to receive them.

Today, social media is a social space where every statement, especially about divine things, is open to attack.

Today’s meditation verse reminds us that not every comment or insult requires a theological defense.

Sometimes, silence is the wiser response.