Today we will talk about bible verses about eating pork. Many Christians do not know what this means. The topic of eating pork often brings up questions regarding dietary laws in the Bible and how they relate to our lives today. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had specific dietary restrictions, which included forbidding the consumption of pork. However, as we explore the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, we find a shift in these dietary laws. This journey through scripture will help us understand the bigger picture of faith and what it means for us today. Let’s dive into God’s word and seek to understand His will about eating pork.
Bible Verses About Eating Pork
Old Testament Dietary Laws
In the Old Testament, dietary laws were given to the Israelites, separating them from other nations and promoting spiritual cleanliness. These laws, including the prohibition of pork, were not just about health but held deeper significance in the context of obedience and sanctity. As we explore these verses about eating pork, we see how these dietary restrictions shaped the Israelites’ identity and relationship with God. It reminds us that God had specific plans for His chosen people, and these guidelines were part of their spiritual journey.
Leviticus 11:7
“And the swine, though it divides the hoof and is cloven-footed, yet does not chew the cud; it is unclean to you.” – Leviticus 11:7
Deuteronomy 14:8
“And the pig, because it has divided the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. You shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcasses.” – Deuteronomy 14:8
Isaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, says the Lord.” – Isaiah 66:17
Leviticus 11:8
“You shall not eat of their flesh or touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.” – Leviticus 11:8
Deuteronomy 14:3
“You shall not eat any abominable thing.” – Deuteronomy 14:3
New Testament Teachings
As believers, our understanding of God’s laws evolved with the New Testament’s arrival. Here, we find a new perspective on dietary rules, emphasizing freedom in Christ and moving away from the strict regulations. Through Jesus’s teachings, we are invited to explore the essence of our relationship with God beyond mere rules. This new paradigm encourages us to engage with the spirit rather than the letter of the law, allowing us to understand eating pork in a healthier light.
Mark 7:18-19
“And he said to them, ‘Are you thus without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.)” – Mark 7:18-19
Acts 10:14-15
“But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.’ And the voice came to him again a second time, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.'” – Acts 10:14-15
Romans 14:14
“I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.” – Romans 14:14
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Galatians 5:1
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1
Symbolism of Clean and Unclean
The Bible’s discussion of clean and unclean animals carries deeper spiritual symbolism. The distinction between what is clean (acceptable) and unclean (not acceptable) goes beyond diet; it teaches us about our inner spiritual state. The restriction on eating pork serves as a metaphor for our call to pursue holiness. Understanding these symbols can help us recognize the significance behind our actions and choices in life, including our dietary choices.
Leviticus 11:46-47
“This is the law regarding animals and birds and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.” – Leviticus 11:46-47
Deuteronomy 14:21
“You shall not eat anything that has died naturally. You may give it to the sojourner who is within your towns, that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner; for you are a people holy to the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 14:21
Matthew 15:11
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” – Matthew 15:11
James 1:27
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” – James 1:27
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” – 1 Peter 1:15-16
Faith and Food Choices
As we navigate our daily lives, our choices, including what we eat, reflect our faith and beliefs. Eating pork or choosing dietary restrictions should not cause division but rather come from a place of faith. In the New Testament, we are called to act according to our conscience, and each believer’s conviction about food is unique. This aspect of our faith journey invites us to embrace differences between believers as we walk together in love and understanding.
1 Corinthians 8:8
“Food will not commend us to God; we are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.” – 1 Corinthians 8:8
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Romans 14:2
“One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.” – Romans 14:2
Romans 14:3
“Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.” – Romans 14:3
Colossians 2:16
“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.” – Colossians 2:16
Historical Context
The context of biblical dietary laws is crucial to understanding their purpose. Historically, the commandments surrounding food were framed within a covenant relationship with God. The laws offered a way of life that demonstrated fidelity to God, distinguishing His people from others. Exploring this historical perspective helps us understand why pork and other foods were deemed unclean, encouraging us to see how God continuously works through human culture and history in our faith journey.
Exodus 34:15
“Take care lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst.” – Exodus 34:15
Leviticus 20:25
“You shall therefore separate the clean beast from the unclean, and the unclean from the clean; and you shall not make yourselves detestable by beast or by bird or by anything with which the ground crawls, which I have set apart for myself as unclean.” – Leviticus 20:25
Leviticus 11:1-2
“And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.'” – Leviticus 11:1-2
Deuteronomy 4:6-7
“Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'” – Deuteronomy 4:6-7
Deuteronomy 6:24
“And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.” – Deuteronomy 6:24
Jesus and Dietary Restrictions
Jesus made a radical shift in the understanding of dietary laws. Through His teachings and actions, He demonstrated that what truly matters is the condition of the heart. He encourages us to focus on spiritual nourishment rather than being preoccupied with what we eat. His example sets the foundation for a more liberated approach to food choices, inviting us to align our diets with our conscience and faith while keeping our hearts open to the Spirit’s guidance.
Matthew 9:11
“And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'” – Matthew 9:11
Luke 7:34
“The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” – Luke 7:34
John 6:35
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'” – John 6:35
Matthew 15:17-20
“Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” – Matthew 15:17-20
Luke 10:8
“Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.” – Luke 10:8
Personal Convictions about Food
Every believer has personal convictions about food, influenced by culture, upbringing, and faith. It’s essential for us to respect those differences while fostering unity in our spiritual community. The conversation about eating pork reminds us that while our choices may differ, our ultimate focus is on how we reflect Christ in all we do. Let us encourage one another in our faith journeys and allow personal convictions to guide our food choices with grace and understanding.
Romans 14:5
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” – Romans 14:5
Romans 14:6
“The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.” – Romans 14:6
1 Corinthians 10:32
“Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:32
Galatians 2:11-14
“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.” – Galatians 2:11-14
Philippians 1:9-10
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” – Philippians 1:9-10
God’s Love and Acceptance
Ultimately, God’s love and acceptance are what matter most. Whether we choose to eat pork or abstain, God sees beyond our food choices and examines our hearts. As we express our faith through love, let us remember that all believers are created in His image and deserving of acceptance. This understanding encourages us to approach the subject of dietary laws with compassion, reminding us of the fundamental truth: it’s love that binds us together as a family of faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 15:7
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
1 Corinthians 12:12
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Final Thoughts
As we explored the various facets of what the Bible teaches about eating pork, we have seen that what we choose to eat can carry deeper spiritual meanings. From Old Testament laws to New Testament freedom, these discussions remind us to focus on our relationship with God rather than debating rules. We are invited to make dietary choices that align with our convictions while maintaining love and acceptance towards others. Ultimately, it’s about how we reflect God’s love in our lives, ensuring that regardless of our food preferences, we come together in faith and compassion as a unified body of Christ.
Let us remember that our faith journey is unique, shaped by our own understanding and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In all our dietary decisions, whether it includes pork or not, may God guide us in love and grace as we seek to honor Him. Together, we can grow in our faith journey, lifting each other up and supporting one another as we strive to walk in His ways.
With the love of Christ in our hearts, whatever we eat or drink, we should do it all for the glory of God! Amen.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
Bible Commentary, Blog
50 Important strength motivational bible verses (With Explanation)