What Jesus consumed is important since it shows the nature of his body and his view of the Law. This topic is worth discussing since people have different opinions of what Jesus ate. What many people want to understand is, did Jesus eat fish?
The Bible suggests that Jesus ate fish on several occasions. For instance, Luke 24:41-43 mentions Jesus eating broiled fish that he was given by the disciples after he had risen from the dead. Some Biblical scholars also believe that Jesus ate fish when he prepared some for his disciples, as explained in John 21:1-14. Others argue that Jesus also ate fish when he fed the five thousand people since Matthew 14: 20 says, And they all ate and were satisfied.
Did Jesus eat physical food? Where in the Bible does it say that Jesus ate fish? What was the purpose of Jesus eating fish? These are the questions that this article will cover. Read on to find out more!
Did Jesus eat physical food?
Mark 7:19 reveals that Jesus declared all foods to be clean. The Bible suggests that Jesus ate physical food since he was human, just like everyone else, and needed food to survive. Different passages in the Bible give us an idea of what Jesus ate from time to time.
For instance, Luke 2:41 implies that Jesus participated in the Feast of the Passover from childhood until he grew up. During this festival, he ate different kinds of food, including meat, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread.
These foods formed part of the requirements of the Law as explained in Exodus 12:8. This verse says, They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. Since Jesus was a Jew, he had to live according to the Mosaic Law.
Matthew 26 mentions that during the last supper, Jesus ate bread and drank wine. Verses 26 and 27 say, While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he gave thanks, he broke it and gave it to the disciples saying, Take and eat, this is my body. Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, drink from it, all of you.
Many Biblical scholars believe that his regular diet may have included bread since this was a staple food in the Roman world during the time of Jesus. The Bible also reveals that Jesus ate fish on several occasions. Some people also believe that Jesus’ diet may have included legumes such as lentils or beans, but no Bible verses support this view.
However, the Bible suggests that Jesus ate figs. Mark 11: 12-14, 20-25 tells of a story of Jesus cursing a fig tree. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus saw a fig tree but was disappointed since it did not bear any fruit. He cursed the tree and made it wither from the roots and said that it would never yield fruit again.
Where in the Bible does it say Jesus ate fish?
The Gospel of Luke suggests that Jesus ate fish after he rose from the dead. Luke 24:41-43 says, And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, have you anything here to eat? They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.
Matthew 14:13-20 also explains that Jesus served fish to five thousand people. Though there were only five loaves and two fish, Jesus multiplied them when he said a blessing. Verse 20 says, And they all ate and were satisfied. Many believe this verse included Jesus eating the multiplied fish and loaves with his followers.
On another occasion, Jesus caused the fishermen’s nets to be filled with fish. This is explained in John 21:1-14 when Jesus revealed himself to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. After they had caught fish, Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish you have caught (John 21:10), and in verse 12, he said to them come and have breakfast. Jesus not only helped them catch so many fish, but he also cooked for them. Many people believe that he ate the fish with them after he said come and have breakfast.
Other Biblical scholars believe that since most of his disciples were fishermen and they used to cross through the Sea of Galilee, they may have occasionally caught fish and eaten with Jesus.
Some people also argue that Jesus used to eat clean unpolluted fish from the Sea of Galilee.
Some even suggest that freshwater fish like catfish, St Peter’s fish (tilapia), and carp were common in this sea during the first century. However, the Bible does not confirm this view. People conclude this based on the fish bones identified in archeological excavations.
What the New Testament clearly shows is that the supply of fish during the time of Jesus was not always plentiful. This is because, in John 21, the disciples told Jesus that they spent the night trying to catch some fish but were not successful. This is also explained in Luke 5 when Jesus called his first disciples.
The scripture says that on this occasion, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. Jesus told Simon to let down the nets for a catch. Simon replied, saying Master, we toiled all night and toiled all night and took nothing. But at your word, I will let down the nets (Luke 5:5)
What was the purpose of Jesus eating fish?
In Luke 24:36-43 which talks about Jesus appearing to his disciples after he had resurrected, Jesus ate fish to prove to them that he had physically risen from the dead. The Bible suggests that the disciples were having a hard time believing that Jesus had indeed been resurrected since they had seen him die on the cross.
Jesus wanted to convince his disciples that he was not a spirit and therefore asked them for food. And they gave him fish, and he ate it. Luke 24:36 says that the disciples thought that they had seen a spirit.
Jesus even told them to touch him so they could believe that he was real in his physical body. To convince them further, he ate the piece of broiled fish that they offered him. Jesus eating fish after his resurrection was a significant moment since his disciples believed in his rising from death as spirits cannot eat food.
Most theologians believe that the fish itself was insignificant since Jesus asked the disciples if they had anything to eat, not specifically fish. This means that any food that they may offer Jesus at this moment would prove that he was indeed alive.
Some argue that on other occasions that Jesus ate fish, he consumed it since he was human, and as a human, he needed to eat. Since Jesus was a Jew, he ate fish since the Torah did not prohibit it.
Others argue that the fact that Jesus ate fish shows that he does not care for all creatures. However, most Biblical scholars feel that this line of reasoning is inaccurate since it has nothing to do with a lack of care for all creatures.
There are numerous passages in the Bible that show God’s love for animals. For instance, God claims animals for himself in Psalm 50:10-11. This verse says, For every beast of the forest is mine and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
References
- Did Jesus eat meat
- The Restoration of Peter
- The deeper meaning of feeding of the 5000
- Last supper
- Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
