Matthew 7:6

(b) The Father's love for the children of the Kingdom shewn by answering prayer, 7 11.

6. The connection between this verse and the preceding section is not quite obvious. It seems to be this. Although evil and censorious judgment is to be avoided, discrimination is needful. The Christian must be judicious, not judicial.

that which is holy i. e. "spiritual truths." Some have seen in the expression a reference to the holy flesh of the offering (Haggai 2:12). But this allusion is very doubtful; see Meyer on this passage.

dogs … swine Unclean animals; see the proverb quoted 2 Peter 2:22; cp. Philippians 3:2, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers;" also Hor. Ep.i. 2. 25, "vel canis immundus vel amica luto sus." See note on ch. Matthew 15:26.

pearls The only gems mentioned in the Gospels, twice named by Jesus: here, where they signify the deepest spiritual thoughts of God and heaven, and ch. Matthew 13:46, where "the pearl of great price" is the kingdom of heaven itself. The general sense is "use discrimination, discern between holy and unholy, between those who are receptive of these high truths and those who are not." The profane will despise the gift and put the giver to shame. Want of common sense does great harm to religion.