What does the bible mean when it says do not throw your pearls to swine?

Answer 1

It means that some people are just going to waste your time with ridiculous, unfounded crappola if you try to reason with them sincerely. Once you have given them a fair chance and they will not be reasonable or listen to you walk away.

Answer 2

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ counseled: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine, that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open." (Matthew 7:6)

Evidently Jesus meant that, if a person shows that he is like a dog or a swine, with no appreciation for spiritual things, one should not further endeavor to share spiritual thoughts and teachings with him. Such corrupt persons would only trample upon valuable spiritual things and abuse or injure anyone endeavoring to share these with them. Jesus also illustrated the preciousness of the Kingdom of the Heavens by "One Pearl" of such high value that a traveling mercant seeking fine pearls "promptly sold all the things he had and bought it." (Matthew 13:45, 46) Thereby Jesus showed that an individual appreciating the true worth of gaining the kingdom of the Heavens would be willing to part with anything in order to do so. (compare Matthew 11:12; Luke 13:23-25; Philippians 3:8-11).

Answer 3

We understand and give value to the pearl...it is a status symbol because of it's relative rarity and beauty especially in the days before cultured pearls.... but a pig has no knowlegde or understanding of this and will not value a pearl...he will only trample it underfoot into the mud so keep your pearls upon your person because a pig won't care for them or show any appreciation. But a gold nose ring will be much more appropriate.

Answer 4

Wow, good question. :) And one that has an answer of course.

We have all heard time and again the phrase, "pearls of wisdom." It is a saying that lets us be reminded that wisdom is worth a great deal, just like pearls. And when we look upon:

Matt 7:6 "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 then turn and tear you to pieces." (as you quoted above)...

we are reminded not to give up the wisdom bestowed upon us to the foolish. To not let the fools of the world have the wisdom we possess, because fools will destroy wisdom; and that utilimately will destroy us...which is a sin against the Lord.

We are able to look upon the folly of the fools also in the book of Proverbs:

Prov. 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

The wise and righteous always seek to learn and grow wiser, not to lose a righteous walk and way with the Lord. Whereas fools will turn thier cheek to wisdom, and will destroy any wisdom around them; because they literally despise...they hate it with a passion...any form of wisdom (which comes from discipline.) And when we break down the word discipline, we find the root word "disciple" meaning:

"One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another."

Therefore, to be wise, we must be willing to be disciplined. We must be willing to embrace that of which is of wisdom, embrace it and spread it around. A fool will not do this, but a fool will do anything and everything possible to make certain this is not done.

So when the Lord speaks and says not to throw our pearls to swine, He is saying...

"Do not give your wisdom away to those who will destroy it."

Answer 5

Matthew 7:6 "Do not cast your pearls before swine, if you do, they may trample them before their feet and then tear you to pieces."
Pigs were unclean animals according to God's law (Deut 14:8) Anyone who touched an unclean animal became ceremonially unclean. and could not go into the temple to worship until the uncleanliness was removed. Jesus says we should not entrust holy teaching to unholy or unclean people. It is futile to try to teach holy concepts to people that don't want to listen and will only tear apart what we say. That doesn't mean to stop giving God's word to unbelievers but to discern what to teach to whom and when to realize we are wasting our time. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Example:
If you try to tell someone about the goodness of God, and they continue not to care, do not share with them anymore. a swine is a pig, surely you will not give a pig pearls, would you?
God Bless!

Answer 7

Aside from the hecklers, I'm in agreement with all these answers.

Cast not thine pearls among swine

Don't waste your wisdom, knowledge and time with people who will not listen, aren't ready to understand, and/or are willing to ensnare you in semantics.

Answer 8

Basically it means don't waste good ideas on people who are not ready to accept them. It's not JUST about religious teachings. If someone isn't ready to listen to what you have to say then move on. Unfortunatly its one part of the bible that everyone tends to forget about once they jump onto their soap box. Thanks for reminding people to keep unwanted opinions to themselves!

Answer 9

none of you will like my answer, but maybe it is directed to the revelers on the balconys in New Orleans during Mardi Gras who throw necklaces to the drunks below...I know that's not the biblical answer, but just thought maybe you all could consider another answer..

Answer 10

Don't waste your valuable time telling the treasure chests of your heart to two-faced, hateful people who will talk behind your back and call you evil.