Pork has been a topic of discussion for many centuries, particularly in relation to its consumption in various cultures and religions. The Bible offers guidance on many aspects of life, including dietary laws that address what believers should or should not eat. In the Old Testament, the dietary laws were specifically outlined for the Israelites, prohibiting the consumption of certain animals. One of the most prominent prohibitions was against pork, a topic often raised by Christians and Jews alike. This article provides 50 Bible verses about pork, exploring their context and meaning within the scriptures.
50 Bible Verses About Pork
1. Leviticus 11:7
“And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.”
In Leviticus 11, God gives specific instructions about clean and unclean animals. Pork, being the flesh of the swine, is deemed unclean because the swine does not chew cud, despite having a split hoof.
2. Leviticus 11:8
“Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”
The command to avoid eating pork is repeated here. The Israelites were to keep away from all forms of unclean animals, and pork was considered particularly impure.
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.”
Deuteronomy reiterates the prohibition against eating pork, emphasizing its impurity. The Israelites were not even to touch the carcass of swine, a stronger command that highlighted the severity of the prohibition.
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.”
Isaiah condemns the practice of eating swine’s flesh, associating it with idolatry and impurity, further reinforcing the Jewish dietary laws.
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.”
Isaiah warns of judgment for those who partake in the consumption of swine’s flesh, likening it to an abomination in the eyes of God.
6. 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.”
Ezekiel expresses his faithfulness to the dietary laws, including abstaining from pork, highlighting his purity and adherence to God’s commands.
7. Acts 10:14
“But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.”
Peter, in this verse, refuses to eat what God declares unclean. The context of this passage revolves around a vision Peter receives, where God shows him that the old dietary restrictions are being lifted in the New Testament era.
8. Acts 10:15
“And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
In this vision, God instructs Peter that the dietary laws, including the prohibition on pork, are no longer binding on Christians, as God has cleansed all things.
9. 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?”
Jesus addresses concerns about food purity, teaching that food, including pork, does not defile a person. His statement was revolutionary for those who followed Jewish dietary laws.
10. Mark 7:20-23
“That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Jesus emphasizes that defilement comes not from eating food like pork, but from sinful actions originating in the heart.
11. 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 clarifies that no food is inherently unclean, including pork, but for those who believe it is unclean, they should abstain from it out of respect for their conscience.
12. 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 teaches that all food, including pork, is good if received with thanksgiving. It is sanctified by God’s word, indicating that Christians are free from the old dietary laws.
13. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
“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.”
This passage further stresses that all food, regardless of its nature in the Old Testament laws, is permissible for Christians when sanctified by God.
14. Titus 1:15
“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
This passage speaks to the heart of the issue: purity is not about external observance of dietary laws but about the internal condition of one’s heart and mind.
15. 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.”
Jesus reaffirms that eating pork or other foods does not defile a person; what comes out of the heart is what truly defiles.
16. Matthew 15:17-20
“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
Jesus emphasizes again that food does not defile a person; sinful actions and thoughts defile the heart.
17. Luke 11:41
“But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.”
This verse speaks to the principle of cleansing from the inside out, rather than focusing on external rules such as the prohibition against eating pork.
18. Luke 7:34
“The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”
Jesus, in His ministry, was criticized for eating with sinners, yet He demonstrated that dietary laws like the prohibition of pork were not essential for His mission.
19. John 10:34
“Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?”
In this verse, Jesus refers to the law but shows that the deeper understanding of His ministry is not bound by traditional dietary laws.
20. John 4:24
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Jesus teaches that worship is a matter of the heart and spirit, not limited by external regulations like dietary restrictions.
21. Acts 15:20
“But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”
The early church council decided that Gentile Christians were not bound by Jewish dietary laws, including the prohibition on pork, though they were asked to abstain from certain practices.
22. Acts 15:29
“That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”
This reaffirms the decision from the council that Gentile believers were not bound by the full dietary laws, including the ban on pork.
23. 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.”
Paul encourages Christians to respect each other’s consciences regarding dietary choices, including whether to eat pork.
24. Romans 14:6
“He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.”
Paul stresses that observance of dietary restrictions, such as abstaining from pork, should be based on personal conviction, not legalism.
25. 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 explains that no food is unclean in itself, but if someone considers it unclean, it should be respected in their conscience.
26. 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.”
Paul explains that eating or abstaining from certain foods, like pork, does not bring us closer to God. It’s the heart and attitude that matter more than dietary laws.
27. 1 Corinthians 10:23
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Here, Paul points out that while all things are permissible for Christians, including eating pork, not everything is beneficial or spiritually edifying. The focus is on love and respect for one another.
28. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
This verse emphasizes that whatever we do, including our dietary choices, should be done in a way that brings glory to God.
29. Galatians 5:1
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Paul reminds believers that Christ has freed them from the law, including dietary restrictions like the prohibition against pork. Christians are to live in the freedom Christ offers.
30. Ephesians 5:5
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Paul speaks about moral purity rather than dietary restrictions. The focus is on living a righteous life, which transcends food-related matters.
31. Colossians 2:16
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.”
Paul urges the Colossians not to let anyone judge them over matters like food, which includes the consumption of pork, because these laws were shadows pointing to Christ.
32. Colossians 2:17
“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
The dietary laws, including the ban on pork, were a shadow of what was to come in Christ. The fulfillment of the law is found in Christ, and believers are no longer bound by such restrictions.
33. Hebrews 13:9
“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.”
The author of Hebrews warns against being distracted by various teachings, including dietary rules like those prohibiting pork. Grace, not food, is what strengthens the heart.
34. 1 John 3:17
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
This verse calls believers to focus on the greater matters of love and compassion, rather than worrying about dietary laws, such as the prohibition against eating pork.
35. Revelation 21:27
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
In the New Jerusalem, those who are pure will enter. The focus here is on spiritual purity rather than dietary laws, which have been fulfilled through Christ.
36. Matthew 11:19
“The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”
Jesus was criticized for eating with sinners, but He broke no laws by eating what was available, showing that the dietary laws were not the focal point of His mission.
37. John 4:9
“Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.”
This passage illustrates the cultural and religious divisions that existed in Jesus’ time. Although Jews followed strict dietary laws, Jesus demonstrated that relationships and compassion were more important than food regulations.
38. John 6:55
“For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.”
In this statement, Jesus speaks metaphorically about His body and blood being spiritual sustenance, not referring to physical food laws, but to the spiritual nourishment He provides.
39. Luke 14:1-2
“And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.”
Jesus often dined with individuals who would have adhered strictly to dietary laws, yet His actions transcended the concerns of food purity.
40. Matthew 9:10-11
“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?”
This incident highlights that Jesus ate with those considered unclean by the Pharisees, demonstrating that it’s not about what goes into the body, but about the heart and relationships.
41. Luke 22:19
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, symbolizing His body, emphasizing spiritual nourishment over physical dietary concerns like pork.
42. Matthew 5:17
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”
Jesus came to fulfill the law, including the dietary laws, showing that His death and resurrection removed the need for observance of such regulations.
43. Mark 2:27
“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.”
Jesus’ statement about the Sabbath reminds us that the law, including dietary rules like those prohibiting pork, was made for the benefit of humanity, but Christ fulfilled it.
44. Romans 6:14
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Paul emphasizes that believers are no longer bound by the law, including the dietary laws prohibiting pork, but are under grace through Jesus Christ.
45. Romans 7:6
“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
Believers have been freed from the old law, including dietary restrictions, and now serve God in the spirit, not through the letter of the law.
46. Galatians 2:16
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Justification comes through faith in Christ, not through the observance of dietary laws such as those prohibiting pork.
47. Galatians 3:23-25
“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
The law, including dietary restrictions like those against pork, served to point us to Christ, but now that faith has come, we are no longer bound by the law.
48. Hebrews 9:10
“Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”
The Old Testament dietary laws, including those prohibiting pork, were temporary and pointed to the greater reformation in Christ.
49. Philippians 3:8
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”
Paul expresses that all worldly concerns, including dietary laws, are secondary to the knowledge and relationship with Christ.
50. James 1:25
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
The perfect law of liberty in Christ frees believers from the constraints of the Old Testament dietary laws, including prohibitions against pork.
Conclusion
This list of 50 verses provides an in-depth look at how the Bible addresses the consumption of pork, shifting from the Old Testament law, which prohibited it, to the New Testament emphasis on grace, freedom, and personal conviction. Christians today are encouraged to make dietary choices based on their conscience, love for others, and devotion to God, with the understanding that their relationship with Christ is far more important than adherence to food laws.
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