{"id":48156,"date":"2021-07-19T11:04:09","date_gmt":"2021-07-19T08:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48156"},"modified":"2025-05-29T09:00:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T06:00:38","slug":"why-did-jesus-specifically-mention-dogs-and-pigs-in-matthew-76","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/07\/19\/why-did-jesus-specifically-mention-dogs-and-pigs-in-matthew-76\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Did Jesus Specifically Mention Dogs and Pigs in Matthew 7:6?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matthew 7:6 (NIV):<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Understanding the Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This verse is part of Jesus\u2019 Sermon on the Mount<\/strong> (Matthew chapters 5\u20137), a foundational discourse in which He outlines the ethics and principles of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 7:6, Jesus gives a somewhat abrupt yet deeply profound warning. To fully understand it, we must explore the symbolic meaning of “dogs” and “pigs”<\/strong>, and the spiritual principle<\/strong> He was illustrating.<\/p>\n

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Why Dogs and Pigs?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Jewish culture during Jesus\u2019 time, dogs and pigs were considered unclean animals<\/strong>. They symbolized those who lived outside the covenant community of Israel, especially those who rejected God’s laws or mocked His holiness.<\/p>\n

1. Dogs\u00a0 Symbol of Disrespect and Spiritual Indifference<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dogs in the ancient Near East were not typically pets as they are today. They were often seen as scavengers<\/strong>, roaming the streets and consuming whatever they found, regardless of its filth or value. Jesus highlights their indiscriminate nature:<\/p>\n

Proverbs 26:11 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.<\/em>“<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2 Peter 2:22 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n“Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.’<\/em>“<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Peter applies this proverb to false teachers<\/strong> and those who fall away from the faith after knowing the truth. Their rejection is willful, and their nature unchanged.<\/p>\n

Likewise, Jesus refers to this unclean behavior in Matthew 15:26\u201327<\/strong>, where a Canaanite woman begs Him to heal her daughter:<\/p>\n

Matthew 15:26\u201327 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n26 He replied, \u201cIt is not right to take the children\u2019s bread and toss it to the dogs.\u201d
\n27 \u201cYes it is, Lord,\u201d she said. \u201cEven the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master\u2019s table.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here, Jesus tests her faith using a Jewish idiom, and the woman humbly accepts the analogy revealing the contrast between true humility<\/strong> and arrogant rejection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. Pigs\u00a0 Symbol of Uncleanness and Carnal Living<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pigs were ritually unclean<\/strong> according to the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11:7). To the Jews, swine symbolized those who wallowed in sin and filth<\/strong>. No matter how clean you make a pig, its instinct is to return to the mud.<\/p>\n

Isaiah 65:4 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cwho sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of impure meat…\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This passage condemns pagan practices and the defilement associated with pig consumption, representing rebellion against God.<\/p>\n

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Spiritual Application: Discernment in Evangelism and Teaching<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The core principle Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:6 is discernment <\/strong>knowing when to share sacred truths<\/strong> and when to refrain<\/strong>.<\/p>\n