TEXT: Matthew 7:6

SUBJECT: Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount #18: Dogs and Swine

This is the most baffling verse in our Lord's great sermon. He has just told us to not judge others, and here He is calling men "dogs" and "swine". Has He contradicted Himself? He hasn't. How then, do we understand His startling words? Like any other words: by their context!

The subject of v.6 in introduced in the latter part of v.5: "...then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye". The Lord assumes that people have faults, that we'll notice the faults, and that we'll want to correct them. There is nothing wrong with this. "Open rebuke is better than secret love".

How do we go about helping others recognize and overcome their faults? In vv.1-5, He tells us that we mustn't be quick to judge or arrogant in our judgment. James 1:19 and Galatians 6:1 are the parallel passages: "...Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath..." and "...If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted". Following these guidelines will enable us to help many people.

But not everyone. In v.6, the Lord reminds us that not everyone is open to criticism; some people won't receive your correction, be it ever so mild, sincere and humbly given. In short, you can't help everyone. Because "a scoffer does not listen to rebuke..."Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you" (cf. Proverbs 13:1, 9:8).

The Lord likens uncorrectible people to "dogs" and "swine". To us, dogs are pets, both lovable and useful. But remember, the Lord is not speaking to us directly. To the Jewish mind of the First Century, a dog was a horrid animal, rooting about in the garbage--a wild, matted, and filthy scavenger. Would anyone in his right mind give a dog "what is holy"? Of course not! The meat roasted on the Lord's altar was eaten by holy people--not stinking dogs.

"Swine" are, if anything, even filthier than dogs. And also more dangerous. Would a jeweller open a bag of precious pearls, and pour them out for the inspection of pigs? No! Why not? Two reasons: pigs wouldn't appreciate the loveliness of his pearls--they'd "trample them under their feet" like dirt. And--supposing they were being fed--the swine would turn on the man and "tear him to pieces".

In sum: the man who tosses holy meat to dogs is a fool. The man who casts his pearls before pigs is a fool. And the man who tries to correct an uncorrectible person is a fool. As it is written: "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him" (Proverbs 26:4).

This teaching may strike us as harsh and judgmental--even unchristian. Yet however it makes us feel, it is true.

Paul decisively turned from men who would not listen. To the Jews in Antioch, he and Barnabas said: "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:45). He did the same at Corinth: "But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, `Your blood be upon your own head, I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles'" (Acts 18:6).

Paul, of course, was not a perfect man. It is possible to charge him with wrong. But the Lord Jesus can't be accused. Listen to what He said to His disciples: "And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" (Matthew 10:14-15).

At times, we must do the same. "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition" (Titus 3:10).

God Himself acts agreeably to this model. He is good to all, making "His sun to rise on the evil and the good and His rain fall on the just and the unjust". But His patience with ungodly eventually runs out: "He who is often reproved, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).

In short: we ought to help those who can be helped; but if one won't allow us to help him, we must leave him to himself. Spurgeon put it thusly: "Saints are not to be simpletons; they are not to be judges, but also, they are not to be fools".

This leaves us with a very big question: How do we know if someone is a dog and a pig? Or, When should we quit giving "that which is holy to them?" Or Stop "casting our pearls before them?"

Do these words ring a bell with you? They should, for they are cribbed from the first five verses. "Do not give that which is holy to dogs or cast your pearls before swine" is regulated by the earlier maxim: "Judge not lest you be judged". We must give up trying to help others only as a last resort. Never eagerly; never proudly; and never without mercy.

In short: If you follow v.1 you won't have any problem being too quick in taking others for dogs and pigs. And, if you remember that some people are dogs and pigs, you won't be too lenient in your judging of others. We must, by God's grace, strike the balance. Spurgeon: "Great King, how much wisdom Thy precepts require! I need Thee, not only to open my mouth, but also at times to keep it shut".

A final question: If someone shows himself to be a dog and a pig, should you give up all hope for him? No. You may not be able to speak to him, but there are other ways of helping him. How?

After doing these things, you must leave him to the LORD who "keeps mercy for thousands, forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, and who will in no wise clear the guilty..."