Matthew 7:6 (WEB)
“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Fathers and councils · 47
Cyprian of Carthage
“And we are, moreover, bidden to keep what is holy within our own knowledge, and not expose it to be trodden down by swine and dogs, since the Lord speaks, saying, “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.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment“Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before the swine, lest perchance they trample them down with their feet, and turn again and crush you.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
John Damascene
“With all our strength, therefore, let us beware lest we receive communion from or grant it to heretics; Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, saith the Lord, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest we become partakers in their dishonour and condemnation.” — editor's note: St. Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Cyril of Jerusalem
“He gives not holy things to the dogs; but where He discerns the good conscience, there He gives the Seal of salvation, that wondrous Seal, which devils tremble at, and Angels recognise; that the one may be driven to flight, and the others may watch around it as kindred to themselves.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment“For it is not right to give the things which are holy unto the dogs.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Ambrose of Milan
“…but lay it on that of the priest, to whom the command is given: “Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine;” that is to say, that partaking of the holy Communion is not to be allowed to those polluted with impurity.” — editor's note: S. Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences I–X VII.29Conference VII
“…communion in our provinces, in accordance with these words of the gospel: “Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine;” while you tell us that somehow we ought to hold that the humiliation of this temptation is brought upon them with a view to their purification and profit?” — editor's note: S. Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences I–X VII.30Conference VII
“…to be given to them daily; nor indeed according to the words of the gospel which you incongruously apply in this sense “Give not that which is holy to dogs,” ought we to believe that holy communion becomes food for the demon, and not a purification and safeguard of body and soul; for when it is received by a man it,…” — editor's note: S. Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17Conference XIV
“And “give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest haply they trample them under foot and turn again and rend you.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Athanasius of Alexandria
“…good to keep close the secret of a king;’ and as the Lord has charged us, ‘Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine.’” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Theodoret of Cyrus
““But,” said that noble man, “attempt, sir, no such promise, nor order what is holy to be given to the dogs.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6
Read the whole comment
John Chrysostom
““Give not” (He says) “that which is holy unto the dogs, lest in time they trample them under their feet” ( Matt. vii. 6 ), that is, lest they despise, lest they repudiate [them].” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“For, saith He, “Give not the holy things to the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6. [The citation is not, however, verbally accurate.—R.]
Read the whole comment““Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6. [R.V., “the swine,” the article is in the Greek text of the Homily.]
Read the whole comment“Thus, what He said, speaking to His disciples, “Cast not the holy things unto dogs,”this He Himself anticipated them in performing.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Leo the Great
“…have no dealings with rebel heretics, remembering the Lord’s command, who says, “Give not that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Jerome
“For it is an axiom with them that pearls ought not to be lightly cast before swine, nor that which is holy given to the dogs.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment“What becomes of our Lord’s intimation,“Neither cast your pearls before the swine”?” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Tertullian
“On the contrary, this precept is rather to be looked at carefully: “Give not the holy thing to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine;” and, “Lay not hands easily on any; share not other men’s sins.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment“…in all places, and without respect to persons, in accordance with the Lord’s saying, “Not to cast one’s pearls before swine, nor that which is holy unto dogs.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment““That which is holy they will cast to the dogs, and their pearls,” although (to be sure) they are not real ones, “they will fling to the swine.”” — editor's note: See Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment- Tertullian, To His Wife II.5Book II
““Cast not,” saith He, “your pearls to swine, lest they trample them to pieces, and turn round and overturn you also.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Basil the Great
“…that you would not publish what I was about to say to all the world,—not because it would not be worth making known, but to avoid casting pearls before swine.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Gregory of Nyssa
- Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity On Virginity.17On Virginity
“…not harmonize with this perfect note, and it be marred by the succeeding discord of the soul, this thing becomes but “the jewel of gold in the swine’s snout” or “the pearl that is trodden under the swine’s feet.”” — editor's note: For the gold, see Prov. xi. 22; for the pearl, S. Matt. vii. 6
Read the whole comment
Gregory of Nazianzus
“Or of the third class, who through ignorance and, its consequence, temerity, rush headlong against every form of doctrine in swinish fashion, and trample under foot the fair pearls of the truth?” — editor's note: S. Matt. vii. 6; viii. 32.
Read the whole comment“…roaring lion, seeking what he may devour of our souls or of our words; or a wild boar, trampling under foot the precious and translucent pearls of the Truth; or an Arabian and alien wolf, or one keener even than these in tricks of argument; or a fox, that is a treacherous and faithless soul, changing its shape…” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment“…was hastened by His crucifiers on account of the Sabbath); nor must it be stripped off and thrown away, lest that which is holy should be given to the dogs, that is, to the evil hearers of the Word; just as the glorious pearl of the Word is not to be cast before swine; but it shall be consumed with the fire with…” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“…question, but that being puzzled they should ask Him no farther; according to that precept He had given above, “Give not that which is holy to the dogs.” [Matt 7:6] For even if He had told them, it would have profited nothing, because the darkened will cannot perceive the things that are of the light.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Because the simplicity to which He had been directing in the foregoing precepts might lead some wrongly to conclude that it was equally wrong to hide the truth as to utter what was false, He well adds, “Give not that…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; The Lord had commanded us to love our enemies, and to do good to those that sin against us. That from this Priests might not think themselves obliged to communicate also the things of God to such, He…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Let us see now what is the holy thing, what are the dogs, what the pearls, what the swine? The holy thing is all that it were impiety to corrupt; a sin which may be committed by the will, though the thing itself be…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; “That which is holy” denotes baptism, the grace of Christ’s body, and the like; but the mysteries of the truth are intended by the pearls. For as pearls are inclosed in shells, and such in the deeps of the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
And to those that are right-minded and have understanding, when revealed they appear good; but to those without understanding, they seem to be more deserving reverence because they are not understood.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
The dogs are those that assault the truth; the swine we may not unsuitably take for those that despise the truth. Therefore because dogs leap forth to rend in pieces, and what they rend, suffer not to continue whole,…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or; The dogs are returned to their vomit; the swine not yet returned, but wallowing in the mire of vices.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; The dog and the swine are unclean animals; the dog indeed in every respect, as he neither chews the cud, nor divides the hoof; but swine in one respect only, seeing they divide the hoof, though they do not…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
That which is despised is said to be trodden under foot: hence it is said, “Lest perchance they tread them under foot.”
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
He says, “Lest perchance,” because it may be that they will wisely turn from their uncleanness. [ed. note: the gloss. has ‘guia non possunt.’]
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
That which follows, “Turn again and rend you,” He means not the pearls themselves, for these they tread under foot, and when they turn again that they may hear something further, then they rend him by whom the pearls…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or; The swine not only trample upon the pearls by their carnal life, but after a little they turn, and by disobedience rend those who offend them. Yea often when offended they bring false accusation against them as…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Well is that said, “Lest they turn;” for they feign meekness that they may learn; and when they have learned, they attack.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
With good reason He forbade pearls to be given to swine. For if they are not to be set before swine that are the less unclean, how much more are they to be withhold from dogs that are so much more unclean. But…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
We must be careful therefore not to explain ought to him who does not receive it; for men the rather seek that which is hidden than that which is opened. He either attacks from ferocity as a dog, or overlooks from…
Read the whole comment
Augustine of Hippo
“…“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;” that is, lest after despising your pearls, they should even ill use you.” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Hippolytus of Rome
“…to reason that these mighty and ineffable mysteries should be trampled under foot, or that they should be committed to many, he advises that as valuable pearls they should be preserved, expressing himself thus: “Do not recite this account to all men, and guard carefully these precepts, because all men are not…” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment“This, he says, is what (Jesus) asserts: “Throw not that which is holy unto the dogs, nor pearls unto the swine.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Clement of Alexandria
“And even now I fear, as it is said, “to cast the pearls before swine, lest they tread them under foot, and turn and rend us.”” — editor's note: Matt. vii. 6.
Read the whole comment
Cross-references · 46
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 25 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 21:23–27 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 21:23–27 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 21:23–27 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 21:23–27 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in To His Wife II.5.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 25.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 25.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 25.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 25.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 25.
Cited together in The Prescription Against Heretics Chapter 25.
Cited together in Concerning Repentance II.9.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 7:6 (6) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Concerning Repentance II.9.
Cited together in Concerning Repentance II.9.
Cited together in Defence Against the Arians I.1.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.17.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in Letters Letter 156.
Cited together in Letters Letter 156.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in Letters Letter 156.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VII.30.
Cited together in Conferences I–X VII.30.
Cited together in Defence Against the Arians I.1.
Cited together in Defence Against the Arians I.1.
Cited together in Letters Letter 156.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.17.
Cited together in On Virginity On Virginity.17.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17.
Cited together in Defence Against the Arians I.1.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17.
Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews III.51 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17.
Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XIV.17.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in Defence Against the Arians I.1.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in On the Holy Spirit Chapter 29.
Cited together in To His Wife II.5.