Matthew 7:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 7:1-6

Our Saviour is here directing us how to conduct ourselves in reference to the faults of others; and his expressions seem intended as a reproof to the scribes and Pharisees, who were very rigid and severe, very magisterial and supercilious, in condemning all about them, as those commonly are, that are proud and conceited in justifying themselves. We have here, I. A caution against judging Matt. 7:1, 2. There are those whose office it is to judge-magistrates and ministers. Christ, though he made... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 7:6

7:6 Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, and do not cast your pearls before pigs, lest they trample upon them with their feet, and turn and rend you. This is a very difficult saying of Jesus for, on the face of it, it seems to demand an exclusiveness which is the very reverse of the Christian message. It was, in fact, a saying which was used in two ways in the early Church. (i) It was used by the Jews who believed that God's gifts and God's grace were for Jews alone. It was used... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 7:6

It is just possible that this saying of Jesus has become altered accidentally in its transmission. It is a good example of the Hebrew habit of parallelism which we have already met ( Matthew 6:10 ). Let us set it down in its parallel clauses: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs; Neither cast ye your pearls before swine." With the exception of one word the parallelism is complete. Give is parallelled by cast; dogs by swine; but holy is not really balanced by pearls. There... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 7:6

Give not that which is holy to the dogs ,.... Dogs were unclean creatures by the law; the price of one might not be brought into the house of the Lord, for a vow, Deuteronomy 23:18 yea, these creatures were not admitted into several temples of the Heathens F8 Vid. Alex. ab. Alex. Gaeial. Dier. l. 2. c. 14. . Things profane and unclean, as flesh torn by beasts, were ordered to be given to them, Exodus 22:31 but nothing that was holy was to be given them, as holy flesh, or the holy... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:6

Give not that which is holy - Το αγιον , the holy or sacred thing; i.e. any thing, especially, of the sacrificial kind, which had been consecrated to God. The members of this sentence should be transposed thus: - Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, Lest they turn again and rend you: Neither cast ye your pearls before swine, Lest they trample them under their feet The propriety of this transposition is self-evident. There are many such transpositions as these, both in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:6

Verse 6 6.Give not that which is holy It is unnecessary to repeat oftener, that Matthew gives us here detached sentences, which ought not to be viewed as a continued discourse. The present instruction is not at all connected with what came immediately before, but is entirely separate from it. Christ reminds the Apostles, and, through them, all the teachers of the Gospel, to reserve the treasure of heavenly wisdom for the children of God alone, and not to expose it to unworthy and profane... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-12

(2) As anxiety about the things of this life hinders us Godwards ( Matthew 6:19-34 ), so does censoriousness manwards ( Matthew 7:1-12 ), our Lord thus tacitly opposing two typically Jewish faults. Censoriousness—the personal danger of having it ( Matthew 7:1 , Matthew 7:2 ), its seriousness as a sign of ignorance and as a hindrance to spiritual vision ( Matthew 7:3-5 ), even though there must be a recognition of great moral differences ( Matthew 7:6 ). Grace to overcome it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-12

Sermon on the mount: 6. Against judging others. This "Judge not, that ye be not judged," comes in unexpectedly, and seems out of its place. But the superficial, ostentatious righteousness which our Lord has been exposing betrays itself in nothing more certainly than in censoriousness. To sigh and shake the head over a sinful world is one of the easiest roads to a reputation for sanctity. The reasons our Lord gives for refraining from judging others are two. 1 . If we judge harshly and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-20

Various practical rules issuing out of the central duty of self-consecration. I. CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS . 1 . Gentleness in our estimate of the lives of others. The hypocrites trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others; they made an ostentatious display of their own supposed good deeds, and passed stern judgments on their neighbours. The righteousness of Christ's disciples must exceed that of the Pharisees in both respects. Indeed, Christ's words must not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:4-6

Reproving. This is kindred to judging, and so these are here closely associated. The Duty of reproving should be discharged with discretion. I. THE REPROVING OF A BROTHER SHOULD BE CONSIDERATE . 1 . Reproof is a precious and holy thing. (a) Saves souls from death (see James 5:19 , James 5:20 ). (b) Frees our souls from the guilt of complicity. (c) Leaves the sinner without excuse. So the fidelity of Noah condemned the antediluvians ( Hebrews 11:7 ). ... read more

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