NOTES for Mat 7:1-12
There are several meaningful sections in today's reading. The first of them, perhaps, (vv. 1-5) is the clearest in meaning, although the hardest of all to put into practice! Verse 6 gives an example of a fairly typical stylistic device in oral speech called "chiasm," when a phrase is built on the pattern "ABba." In our case, "trampled underfoot" refers to the pigs, and "turned and tore" refers to the dogs.
But what is all this about? Are we really supposed to consider someone dogs and pigs? Let me recall that both were considered unclean animals. Hardly! The preceding verses do not allow that. It is probably about the fact that even the most objectively good things, whether objects or ideas, do not necessarily turn out to be subjectively good in concrete situations, and therefore wisdom is needed in using them. The next section (vv. 7-11) not only urges us to persistent prayer, but also assures us that the Heavenly Father always answers it, and specifically with what "gives good things." In another Gospel this passage says that He "will give the Holy Spirit," who, of course, is the ultimate "good thing." That is, the answer from God may be "not exactly" what we expect.