Don't give what is sacred to dogs, for they might throw them upon the manure pile. Don't throw pearls [to] pigs, or they might . . . it [. . .]." (93 Thomas)

They might... what? We cannot be sure. Our sources are insufficient to know.

There is a parallel saying in Matthew's gospel: "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." (Matthew 7:6)

It is a teaching in tension with most of what we know Jesus to have offered us.

In Matthew the injunction against dogs and pigs seems to contradict an immediately prior instruction to avoid judging others (see the whole chapter). Without judging how do we know dogs or pigs?

Perhaps the teaching has less to do with what is impure (dogs and pigs) and has more to do with what we define as sacred or holy.

To be sacred - the Hebrew is qodesh - is to be put aside, set apart, and consecrated for special use. It is a common ecclesiastical term having to do with temple rituals.

Is it possible that our typical rush to judgment hears an unintended judgment in the teaching of Jesus? Perhaps Jesus loves the innocence of dogs and pigs. Perhaps Jesus is not warning us about dogs and pigs, but instead is warning us to avoid a tendency to define God as safely separate from most of our living.

But I cannot be sure, my sources are insufficient.