What did Jesus mean when he said we are
not to 'cast our pearls before swine?'

What is 'casting your pearls before swine?'

Q. What did Jesus mean when he said to not 'cast your pearls before swine'?

A. The scripture in question is Matthew 7:6,

"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." (Matthew 7:6, KJV)

The word pearls in the above scripture refers back to the word holy in the previous phrase, and is the metaphor for godly wisdom and the kingdom of God.

God's wisdom, to which we should aspire, is likened to something very precious in another place in the book of Matthew:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Matthew 13:45-46)

Of course, this is talking about the Kingdom of God and the wisdom one needs to enter that kingdom.

And these scriptures also have similar reference to this question:

"But where shall wisdom be found? and where [is] the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It [is] not in me: and the sea saith, [It is] not with me.

"It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it [shall not be for] jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom [is] above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where [is] the place of understanding?" (Job 28:12-20, KJV)

Wisdom is found using God's Holy Spirit. In order to gain this wisdom one must have knowledge and understanding. That kind of understanding can only come through God's Holy Spirit which is given to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32)

How do we gain this understanding which can lead us to that "pearl of great price?"

"Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." (Psalm 119:104)

God's precepts are written in the Holy Scriptures. If one has God's Holy Spirit, one can study God's Word (His Precepts) for Holy knowledge, and upon this foundation of the Holy Spirit and Holy knowledge, God will then grant Holy understanding.

This 'pearl' then is the knowledge and understanding of God's pure truth given to a person through God's Holy Spirit.

If we take that 'pearl' (of wisdom) and cast it (meaning to throw it away without caring where it falls) before 'dogs' (a metaphor for someone with an impure or impudent mind) or 'swine' (something or someone who is unclean) they might turn upon us and 'rend' us (they might distort what we are saying and might even attack us.)

God tells us in the book of Proverbs that there are times when we should be silent and times when we should respond directly to others (especially about God's truth). Jesus sometimes answered the questions and accusations thrown his way by the religious leaders of his day (e.g. Matthew 12:1-8) and sometimes refused to respond to their inquiries (e.g. Matthew 21:23-27). Proverbs states:

"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." (Proverbs 26:4-5)

We must discern the reason for any questions according to the person who is doing the asking and answer within that context.

We should not cast our pearls of Godly wisdom before one who is a militant, ready to fight, unbeliever lest they turn on us and insult us or do us harm.