Many people love eating fish, but have you ever wondered if the Bible has anything to say about it? Throughout Scripture, fish play a symbolic role, and there are even some dietary laws about fish in the Old Testament. Let’s explore the Bible’s perspective on eating fish and whether it carries any spiritual significance today.
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What Does The Bible Say About eating fish
Luke 24:41-43
“And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.”
In this passage, Jesus eats fish in the presence of his disciples to prove that he is not a spirit but a resurrected body. It emphasizes the tangible reality of Jesus’ resurrection. This verse also showcases the humanity of Jesus, who experienced hunger and ate food just like any ordinary person would.
As Christians, this verse reminds us that Jesus understands our physical needs and desires. It is a powerful reminder that our faith is not detached from our everyday lives, but rather encompasses our entire being, including our physical nature and sustenance.
John 21:9-13
“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So, Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.”
This passage takes place after Jesus’ resurrection, where he meets his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus prepares breakfast for them, including fish he miraculously provides. It signifies Jesus’ care and provision for his disciples, even in their daily sustenance.
This verse reminds us that God is both our spiritual and physical provider. It reassures us that he is intimately acquainted with our needs and will faithfully meet them according to his perfect plan and timing.
Matthew 15:34-37
““How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”
This passage describes the miraculous feeding of the four thousand by Jesus. With just seven loaves of bread and a few fish, Jesus multiplied the food to feed the multitude. It demonstrates the abundant provision and power of God.
This verse teaches us to trust in God’s ability to provide abundantly, even when our resources seem meager. It challenges us to rely on his provision, knowing that he is not limited by earthly constraints but can work miracles to ensure that our needs are met.
Matthew 14:17-20
““We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”
Here, Jesus performs another miraculous feeding, this time multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a crowd of five thousand people. This event showcases Jesus’ compassion and ability to meet the needs of the masses.
This verse reminds us that no matter how inadequate or insignificant our resources may seem, God can multiply them and use them for his glory. It encourages us to offer what little we have to God and trust him to bless and multiply it beyond measure.
John 6:8-13
“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So, they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”
Similar to the previous passage, this verse recounts the miraculous feeding of five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. It highlights the power and abundance of God’s provision.
This verse encourages us to have faith in God’s ability to multiply our offerings and make them more than enough. It challenges us to be wise stewards of his blessings, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and understanding that he can use even the fragments to accomplish great things.
Matthew 17:27
“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
In this verse, Jesus instructs Peter to find a coin in the mouth of a fish to pay their taxes. This demonstrates Jesus’ divine knowledge and ability to provide in unexpected and unconventional ways.
This verse reminds us that God’s provision often comes in miraculous and unexpected ways. It encourages us to trust in his wisdom and guidance, knowing that he can provide for our needs even when it seems impossible or illogical.
Matthew 4:18-19
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.””
In this passage, Jesus calls his first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, who were fishermen by trade. He tells them that he will make them fishers of men, implying that they would become evangelists and bring people to faith in him.
This verse highlights the transformative power of Jesus’ call on our lives. It reminds us that when we follow Christ, he can use our skills, talents, and passions to bring others to him. It challenges us to be willing to leave behind our old way of life and embrace the mission of spreading the good news of Jesus to others.
Mark 1:16-18
“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Similar to the previous verse, Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him and become fishers of men. This time, it emphasizes their immediate response to Jesus’ call, leaving their nets and following him.
This verse challenges us to respond promptly and wholeheartedly to Jesus’ call in our lives. It reminds us that following Christ requires a willingness to leave behind our old ways and priorities and fully commit ourselves to his purpose and mission.
Matthew 13:47-48
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.”
In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a net that catches fish of all kinds. It illustrates that the kingdom includes people from diverse backgrounds and conditions. The good fish represent those who respond to the gospel and enter the kingdom, while the bad fish represent those who reject it.
This verse reminds us that God’s kingdom is inclusive and welcomes people from all walks of life. It challenges us to recognize the value of every individual and to actively participate in spreading the message of salvation to all, regardless of their background or current state.
Genesis 9:3
“Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”
After Noah and his family come out of the ark, God tells them that every living creature will be food for them. This marks a significant shift in dietary restrictions, allowing the consumption of animals as food.
This verse highlights that God has provided animals as a source of nourishment for human beings. It reminds us that God’s creation is intended to meet our physical needs, and we must approach food with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Matthew 14:15
“As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.””
After Jesus had been teaching and healing a large crowd, the disciples suggest sending them away to find food for themselves since it was a remote place. This verse highlights the practical concern of the disciples for the physical well-being of the crowd.
It serves as a reminder that as followers of Christ, we should be attentive to the physical needs of others. It challenges us to show compassion and seek practical solutions to help alleviate hunger and provide for those who are in need.
John 6:9
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
As Jesus prepares to feed the crowd of five thousand people, Andrew presents a young boy who has five loaves of bread and two fish. This verse highlights the insufficiency of the boy’s meager offering when faced with the vast need of the multitude.
It reminds us that our resources may sometimes seem inadequate to meet the needs around us. However, this verse also reveals that when we offer what little we have to Jesus, he can multiply it exponentially to accomplish abundance. It challenges us to have faith and trust in God’s ability to provide and multiply our offerings to meet the needs that seem overwhelming.
Romans 14:21
“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
This verse comes in the context of discussing disputes over food in the early church. It highlights the importance of considering the spiritual well-being of others and not causing them to stumble through our actions.
While not directly about eating fish, this verse emphasizes the principle of love and sacrifice in our dietary choices. It challenges us to be mindful of others’ beliefs, restrictions, or convictions regarding food and to prioritize unity and edification over our personal preferences or freedoms.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This verse reminds us that our actions, including our eating habits, should be done with the intention of bringing glory to God. It challenges us to examine our motives and ensure that our food choices align with God’s will and honor him.
As Christians, we can glorify God through our dietary choices by cultivating gratitude, practicing moderation, considering the impact on our physical and spiritual well-being, and using our food-related experiences to testify to God’s goodness and provision.
Acts 10:11-13
“He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.””
In this passage, God sends a vision to Peter, consisting of various animals, including unclean ones according to Jewish dietary laws. The vision challenges Peter’s preconceived notions about what is clean and unclean to eat.
This verse highlights that, through Christ’s sacrifice, God has declared all foods clean, abolishing the dietary restrictions of the Old Testament Law. It signifies an opportunity for fellowship and unity among believers with different dietary practices while recognizing that personal convictions may still guide individual food choices.
Leviticus 11:9-12
“Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales. But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales – whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water – you are to regard as unclean. And since you are to regard them as unclean, you must not eat their meat; you must regard their carcasses as unclean. Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be regarded as unclean by you.”
In the Old Testament Law, God gave the Israelites dietary laws that prohibited certain aquatic creatures without fins and scales, designating them as unclean.
While these specific dietary laws no longer apply to Christians today, this verse highlights the importance of obedience to God’s instructions and the distinction between clean and unclean as per the Mosaic Covenant. It reveals God’s intention for his people to live in holiness and separation from practices that would defile them.
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“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.”
This verse emphasizes the goodness of God’s creation and asserts that all food is ultimately permissible to eat if received with thanksgiving and consecrated through prayer.
While certain dietary restrictions may exist due to allergies, health reasons, or personal convictions, this verse reminds us that the foundation of our food choices should be gratitude and consecration through prayer. It encourages us to approach our meals with a thankful heart, recognizing that God’s provision sustains us and acknowledging his authority over our lives.
Colossians 2:16-17
“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. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
In this verse, Paul addresses the controversy of certain dietary practices and religious observances within the early church. He advises believers not to let others judge them based on their dietary choices or observance of religious festivals, as these things no longer hold significance in Christ.
This verse emphasizes the freedom and liberation we have in Christ. It encourages us to focus on the essence of our faith in Christ rather than getting caught up in external regulations or judgments about our food choices. It challenges us to prioritize unity and love above dietary preferences or religious observances.
1 Corinthians 8:8
“But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”
This verse addresses the issue of eating food offered to idols in the Corinthian church. It asserts that food itself does not bring us closer to or distance us from God. Our dietary choices do not affect our standing or relationship with Him.
This verse reminds us that our faith is not determined by what we eat or don’t eat. It challenges us to focus on the weightier matters of our relationship with God, such as loving Him and loving others, rather than getting entangled in legalistic debates about food.
1 Corinthians 10:25-26
“Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.’”
Paul addresses the issue of eating meat sold in the market that may have been offered to idols. He advises believers that they can eat such meat without raising questions of conscience since everything in the world belongs to the Lord.
This verse reminds us that our food choices are not inherently tied to our spiritual standing, and we should not unnecessarily burden ourselves with unnecessary restrictions or anxieties. It encourages us to approach our food with freedom and gratitude, recognizing that all good things come from God.
Genesis 1:29
“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.”
In the beginning, God ordained a vegetarian diet for humanity. In this verse, he specifically mentions providing all seed-bearing plants and trees with fruit containing seeds as food for humans.
This verse highlights God’s original design for human sustenance and his provision of plant-based foods. While dietary practices have changed since then, this verse reminds us of the inherent goodness and nourishment found in the plant kingdom and encourages us to be grateful for the diversity of foods that God has given us.