Eating meat is a topic that often raises questions among Christians. The Bible offers guidance, providing wisdom and direction. Today, we will explore key verses that address eating meat, helping us understand God’s message and how it can be applied in our daily lives.
Bible Verses about Eating Meat
Genesis 1:29 – God provided food for our sustenance
“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” – Genesis 1:29
Leviticus 11:3 – Guidelines for what we can eat
“You may eat any animals that have a split hoof completely divided and that chew the cud.” – Leviticus 11:3
Acts 10:13-15 – God’s message about dietary laws
“Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ Surely not, Lord! Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’ The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'” – Acts 10:13-15
1 Timothy 4:4-5 – All created food is good
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4-5
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Eating for God’s glory
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Romans 14:2 – Different beliefs about eating
“One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.” – Romans 14:2
Romans 14:17 – The kingdom of God’s focus
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 14:17
Philippians 3:19 – Minds on earthly things
“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” – Philippians 3:19
Proverbs 23:20-21 – Warning against gluttony
“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” – Proverbs 23:20-21
Ecclesiastes 3:13 – Enjoying one’s labor
“That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:13
Matthew 5:6 – Hunger for righteousness
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” – Matthew 5:6
1 Corinthians 8:8 – Food does not bring us closer to God
“But food does not bring us closer to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.” – 1 Corinthians 8:8
Matthew 14:20 – Abundance from a little
“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” – Matthew 14:20
John 6:35 – Spiritual nourishment
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'” – John 6:35
Luke 15:23 – Celebrating with food
“Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.” – Luke 15:23
Isaiah 55:2 – Spending on what truly satisfies
“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” – Isaiah 55:2
Matthew 6:25 – Trust in God’s provision
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25
Luke 12:22-23 – Focus on God’s care
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.'” – Luke 12:22-23
Psalm 104:14-15 – Creation provides food
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.” – Psalm 104:14-15
Mark 7:18-19 – What comes from within is what defiles
“Are you so dull? He asked. ‘Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.’ (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)” – Mark 7:18-19
James 1:17 – Every good gift comes from above
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Matthew 15:11 – Focus on what matters
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” – Matthew 15:11
2 Corinthians 9:10 – God provides seed and bread
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” – 2 Corinthians 9:10
Proverbs 25:16 – Moderation in eating
“If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.” – Proverbs 25:16
Colossians 2:16 – Do not let others judge you
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day.” – Colossians 2:16
Mark 14:22-24 – Sharing the meal
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.” – Mark 14:22-24
Proverbs 31:14 – A woman who brings food from afar
“She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.” – Proverbs 31:14
Psalm 78:25 – The bread of angels
“Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.” – Psalm 78:25
Revelation 19:17 – The great supper of God
“And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, ‘Come, gather together for the great supper of God.'” – Revelation 19:17
Hebrews 13:9 – Teachings about food
“Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.” – Hebrews 13:9
John 21:12 – Jesus shares food with His disciples
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.” – John 21:12
Matthew 26:29 – The fruit of the vine
“I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” – Matthew 26:29
Proverbs 15:17 – Better a meal of vegetables
“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.” – Proverbs 15:17
John 4:34 – Spiritual nourishment
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” – John 4:34
Also Read: 30 Bible Verses About Babes in Christ
What Does the Bible Say about Eating Meat?
When we explore what the Bible says about eating meat, several themes come to light that help guide our understanding on this topic:
First, it’s clear from the Book of Genesis that permission to eat meat was part of God’s covenant with Noah. After the flood, God told Noah and his family that they could eat every moving thing that lives, just as they had been given green plants before. This signifies a broader allowance for food consumption compared to earlier times when only plants were designated as food.
Moving to the laws given through Moses, we find guidelines in Leviticus regarding which animals are considered clean and unclean. These dietary rules were established to set the Israelites apart. Clean animals, such as cows and sheep, were permitted, while others, like pigs, were forbidden. These laws were part of the larger covenant between God and Israel, focused on holiness and separation from surrounding nations.
In the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings and the Apostle Paul’s letters introduce a more flexible approach. Jesus declared all foods clean, which signifies that the specific dietary laws of the Mosaic Covenant were no longer binding in the same way. Paul further expounds on this in his letters, advising believers that what they eat does not bring them closer to or further from God. Whether we choose to eat meat or not, our faith and our actions toward others take precedence.
That said, the New Testament also speaks about sensitivity to others in our community. Paul emphasizes that if eating meat causes another believer to stumble in their faith, it is better to abstain in their presence. This points to a principle of love and consideration for fellow believers.
Therefore, while the Bible permits the eating of meat, it also calls us to be thoughtful about our choices, considering both our faith and the effects of our actions on others. This balance helps us appreciate the freedom we have and the responsibility that comes with it.