Food plays a big role in the Bible, serving not just as nourishment but as a way for God to relay important spiritual lessons to us. Understanding the types of food Jesus likely encountered in His daily life provides insight into His experiences and the culture of the time.
These simple, humble meals—like bread, fish, olives, and figs—weren’t just about sustenance; they were deeply intertwined with His teachings and the messages He conveyed. Exploring these foods can help us appreciate the significance of everyday moments and how even the simplest things can carry profound meaning.
Based on what the Bible wrote and what was known of His time, here are 15 foods Jesus likely ate.
Fish
Fish in Jesus’s time was one of the regular foods available to everybody, especially communities based around the Sea of Galilee.
In Matthew 14:17-21, Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish.
In John 21:9-13, Jesus appeared after His resurrection and ate fish with His disciples who had been fishing the whole night prior. It was the meal they ate together immediately after His resurrection.
Dates
Dates were a sweet treat and a common fruit in the region. While not mentioned specifically in relation to Jesus, they were needed in the diet of the time. Their natural sweetness provided a much-needed source of energy, and they were likely a part of Jesus’ meals during long journeys.
Bread
Bread was one of the basic elements in Jesus’ life, symbolizing both nourishment and life. It became a very important element in the Christian faith when Jesus broke bread during the Last Supper and said, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).
The Lord’s Prayer similarly cites, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), underlining that bread not only feeds one physically but also one’s spiritual nourishment.
Olives
Olives and olive oil are staple foods within the Mediterranean diet. Jesus would often go to Mount Olives to pray, as noted in Luke 22:39, thereby connecting this food with His spiritual journey.
Olive oil was used not only in cooking but also during religious occasions for anointing, signifying blessings and healing, as mentioned by James 5:14.
Figs
Multiple references to figs in the Bible indicate their significance as food during Jesus’ era. People highly treasured figs for their sweetness and nutritional value, making them a necessity in the diet of the time.
They were commonly enjoyed as a snack or dessert, with meals. In one story from the Bible (Mark 11:12-14), Jesus cursed a fig tree for He was displeased that it didn’t bear any fruit.
The fig tree itself was also commonly found in the region, serving as a source of fruit as well as provider of shade and wood.
Barley
Barley, a more affordable grain than wheat, was used to make bread. The boy who supplied the loaves for the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 in John 6:9 had five loaves of barley bread.
Barley bread was a food of the common people and reflects Jesus’s relationship to ordinary life and His ministry to all.
Lentils
Lentils were a common food in biblical times. Though never mentioned directly in the New Testament, lentils are indirectly mentioned in the story of Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:34). This story shows that humble, healthy food was valued in the ancient world, and lentils likely found their way to Jesus’ table.
Grapes
Grapes were another significant fruit in the Bible, consumed both fresh and dried. Grapes also served as the main ingredient in the manufacturing of wine, which Jesus offered during the Last Supper, saying, “This is my blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:28).
Grapes and wine are strongly associated with biblical stories about harvests, abundance, and joy that depict the happiness God has bestowed upon His people.
Wine
Wine was a central part of meals and celebrations in Jesus’ time. In the hot climate, it was a safer alternative to water – which could be impure – to improve its taste. It was also referenced at the wedding in Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). At the Last Supper, wine became a powerful symbol of His sacrificial love (Matthew 26:27-29).
Cucumbers
Although cucumbers are never mentioned directly in relation to Jesus, the Bible mentions them as part of the Israelites’ diet (Numbers 11:5). These vegetables were refreshing in the hot climate and would have been part of the typical diet where Jesus lived.
Garlic
Garlic, mentioned in the Bible (Numbers 11:5), was among the foods the Israelites missed while wandering in the desert, along with cucumbers and other staples. While garlic isn’t directly associated with Jesus, it was likely a common ingredient in cooking during His time, valued for its flavor and health benefits. Its potent taste would have been a valuable addition to many simple meals, just as it is today. This enduring ingredient connects the ancient past to the present, showing how some things—like a love for good, flavorful food—never really change.
Honey
Honey was also a natural sweetener and a symbol of the Promised Land, characterized by “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Though Jesus had nothing to say about honey, His forerunner, John the Baptist, is reported to have eaten “locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). Honey appears in the Bible as a very useful source of food and a symbol of divine providence.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates were highly valued in ancient times for their rich flavor and nutritional benefits. They symbolized abundance and fertility and were often mentioned as part of the blessings of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:7-8).
While not directly associated with Jesus, pomegranates were native to the region and held deep symbolic meaning, representing prosperity. Their significance extended beyond food; they were frequently used in religious art and motifs, reflecting their cultural and spiritual importance throughout the ages.
Milk
Milk, together with honey and pomegranates, also appears in the Bible as one of the ways to describe God’s blessings, particularly the Promised Land described in Exodus 3:8. In Jesus’ time–but not exactly associated with Jesus, per se– milk, primarily from goats and sheep, was a common and important part of the diet which explains why keeping flocks of sheep and goats was so common back then.
Herbs
Herbs like mint, dill, and cumin were very common in cooking during Jesus’ time to add flavor to plain dishes. The warm climate of the region made these herbs easy to grow, and they were used to season food to give it a more pleasing taste. Besides their use in cookery, herbs could sometimes be dried or preserved for use throughout the year to secure a constant supply.
In the Bible (Matthew 23:23), Jesus referred to these spices when condemning the Pharisees, who pay more attention to tithing herbs while neglecting justice and mercy.
The Significance of Food in the Bible
Understanding the foods that Jesus and the people before Him likely ate, according to the Bible, is almost a window into daily life in Jesus’ time. Many of these foods were not only central to meals but also to Jesus Himself in many of His teachings and miracles.
Reflecting on these simple, nourishing foods allows us to connect with the spiritual lessons they carry and the timeless truths they represent. They serve as symbols of God’s provision, community, and the deeper meanings embedded in everyday life, inviting us to see the sacred in the ordinary.
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Jannah is a dedicated Christian content writer with growing experience, driven by her love for sharing the message of faith. She brings dedication and passion to every piece she writes, drawing from her background as a former lector. Jannah is committed to creating meaningful and inspiring content that reflects her Christian values.