20 Bible Verses About Eating Pork

The Bible offers a wealth of wisdom on various aspects of life, including dietary practices. Among the topics often discussed are the foods deemed clean and unclean according to the Old Testament. One food item that has sparked particular debate among Christians is pork. The consumption of pork, a meat that is considered unclean in Jewish dietary laws, has raised questions regarding its permissibility in Christianity, especially since the New Testament speaks on freedom in Christ.

In this article, we will examine 20 Bible verses that mention or indirectly relate to the issue of eating pork. We will focus primarily on the King James Version (KJV) to explore what the Bible says about this subject, both in the Old and New Testaments. As we delve into these verses, we will also consider the historical and theological context in which these dietary laws were given and how they apply to believers today. This comprehensive list of scriptures will offer a biblical foundation for understanding the topic of eating pork and whether or not it is permissible for Christians.

Old Testament Teachings on Eating Pork

1. Leviticus 11:7

“And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.”

In Leviticus 11, the Israelites are given specific dietary laws, including the prohibition against eating pork, because pigs do not meet the criteria of being both cloven-footed and cud-chewing.

2. Leviticus 11:8

“Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”

3. Deuteronomy 14:8

“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.”

4. Isaiah 65:4

“Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;”

5. Isaiah 66:17

“They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.”

6. Leviticus 20:25

“Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.”

7. Deuteronomy 14:3

“Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”

8. Deuteronomy 14:4-7

This passage outlines various clean and unclean animals, including the pig, which is unclean because it does not meet both of the conditions required in the law.

9. Ezekiel 4:14

“Then said I, Ah Lord God! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.”

10. Daniel 1:8

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Although this verse does not specifically mention pork, it illustrates the broader principle of avoiding foods that might defile or be considered unclean.

New Testament Teachings and the Christian Freedom

While the Old Testament law prohibited the eating of pork, the New Testament offers a different perspective, focusing on the freedom that believers have in Christ. The Apostle Paul addresses the subject of food and clean versus unclean in his letters, and Jesus also teaches about the heart’s intentions rather than external dietary laws.

11. Matthew 15:11

“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

This verse emphasizes that it is not the food that enters the body that defiles, but the words and actions that come from the heart.

12. Matthew 15:17

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?”

13. Mark 7:18-19

“And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?”

This passage indicates that Jesus declared all foods clean, which includes the consumption of foods that were previously prohibited, such as pork.

14. Acts 10:9-16

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”

In this passage, God shows Peter in a vision that the dietary restrictions from the Old Testament are no longer binding for believers.

15. Acts 11:5-9

“I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descended, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”

16. Romans 14:2-3

“For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”

This passage encourages Christians to respect each other’s convictions regarding what can be eaten, as long as it does not violate one’s conscience.

17. Romans 14:14

“I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

Paul affirms here that all foods are clean for believers, but it is important to respect those whose consciences may still be troubled by eating certain foods, like pork.

18. 1 Corinthians 8:8

“But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.”

This verse underscores the principle that eating or abstaining from certain foods does not make a person more spiritual. It is about the attitude of the heart.

19. 1 Corinthians 10:23-25

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake.”

Paul teaches that Christians have freedom in Christ, but they should make choices that consider the conscience of others. This applies to eating foods like pork that some may still consider unclean.

20. 1 Timothy 4:3-5

“Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Paul emphasizes that all foods created by God are good and should be received with thanksgiving, affirming the idea that dietary restrictions from the Old Testament no longer apply.

Conclusion

While the Old Testament clearly prohibits the consumption of pork as part of the Mosaic Law, the New Testament reveals a shift in this requirement. Through Jesus’ teachings and the visions given to the apostles, believers are shown that all foods are clean and can be eaten with thanksgiving. Christians are encouraged to act in accordance with their conscience and to respect the convictions of others, but the freedom in Christ allows believers to eat pork without the burden of Old Testament dietary laws.

The key takeaway is that Christian liberty allows believers to make personal decisions regarding food, including pork, based on faith, gratitude, and love for others. Ultimately, the decision to eat pork is a matter of personal conviction rather than a doctrinal requirement.