Dogs and Swine
By Paper_Doll
@Paper_Doll (2373)
Philippines
October 30, 2012 12:00am CST
Who are the dogs and swine mentioned at Matthew 7:6?
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you.
I'd like to know a good interpretation of this bible verse.
Thank you in advance.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
31 Oct 12
These animals were viewed as unclean and therefore they are used to signify people that don't appreciate spiritual things. Therefor when a believer meets someone that refuses to appreciate spiritual things, it is best to let them be, as they might harm us, either spiritually or physically. 
2 people like this
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
Thanks hopefulman, so dogs and swine refer to people who do not or refuse to appreciate spiritual things.
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@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
1 Nov 12
Hi Paper_Doll! 
Think of having a beautiful pearl necklace. If you went and try to show the beauty and value of this necklace to a literal dog or swine and put it around their neck, would they understand the value?
Christians have the truth from the Bible and the wisdom from the Bible as something even more valuable than pearls. Not all people appreciate how precious it is. To try to reason with people that have no appreciation for spiritual things would be a waste of our time. When we meet such ones, it is best to let them be and move on.
Jesus was comparing a characteristic of how dogs and swines would not appreciate the value of pearls to what some people do when it comes to appreciating valuable spiritual truths.
We often use exaggeration and figures of speech such as: his bark is worse than his bite or that person eats like a pig.
I hope this helps!
Think of having a beautiful pearl necklace. If you went and try to show the beauty and value of this necklace to a literal dog or swine and put it around their neck, would they understand the value?
Christians have the truth from the Bible and the wisdom from the Bible as something even more valuable than pearls. Not all people appreciate how precious it is. To try to reason with people that have no appreciation for spiritual things would be a waste of our time. When we meet such ones, it is best to let them be and move on.
Jesus was comparing a characteristic of how dogs and swines would not appreciate the value of pearls to what some people do when it comes to appreciating valuable spiritual truths.
We often use exaggeration and figures of speech such as: his bark is worse than his bite or that person eats like a pig.
I hope this helps! 2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
4 Nov 12
1hopefulman, you wrote: "Think of having a beautiful pearl necklace. If you went and try to show the beauty and value of this necklace to a literal dog or swine and put it around their neck, would they understand the value?"
- I think that is right on the mark!
1 person likes this
