What Did Jesus Eat During His Fast

Did Jesus drink water when He was fasting for 40 days?

Do you think Jesus drank water during His 40-day fasting period?

Bible Answer:

The events surrounding Christ’s temptation in the wilderness were documented by the gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke. According to the three gospels, Jesus fasted for 40 days before succumbing to the temptation of Satan shortly after. Each gospel has certain details that are similar to all of them as well as those that are unique to each.

Individual Gospel Accounts

Therefore, some have asserted that the three gospels are at odds, yet a smart trial lawyer would anticipate that this is the case. Everyone reported various information since everyone had a different point of view when he wrote what he did. The prosecution would accuse three witnesses with collusion if they all reported exactly the same thing in a criminal trial. In reality, when all of the witnesses provide the exact same information, the majority of trial lawyers are dubious of the situation.

The benefit of reading all three gospels is that we obtain a more complete picture, with Luke providing us with the exact chronological order of events (Luke 1:3).

Did Christ Drink Water?

There is no mention of Jesus drinking water or sleeping in any of the gospels, although they do mention that he fasted or went without food on several occasions. Despite the fact that there are no references to Christ drinking water, it indicates that Jesus did drink water at some point. Medical professionals believe that the average man or woman cannot survive without water for more than 10 days; yet, some people have managed to survive for up to 21 days without water. We can survive for far longer periods of time without nourishment.

Conclusion:

What is so great about Jesus’ temptation by Satan is that He was put to the test and did not fall prey to temptation and sin. Because we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but rather One who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet has come out unscathed. (NASB) Hebrews 4:15 is a verse that states that Jesus is without sin!

Suggested Links:

Jesus was tempted by Satan. Where can I discover the next time the devil put Jesus through his paces in the Bible? Is it possible that Jesus committed a sin?

What Would Jesus Eat? The Science Within the Bible

Dr. Don Colbert and AJ Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically, have conducted extensive research into the Bible in order to uncover nutritional hints concerning Jesus’ diet. What Made His Food So Distinctive? Those who lived during Jesus’ time had predominantly a clean plant-based diet. Among the foods that were widely consumed in that part of the globe were lentils, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dates, almonds, and fish. Some people even consumed grasshoppers and bugs as appetizers!

  1. Many people ate the majority of their food uncooked, which provided them with extra health advantages.
  2. Aside from that, cooking some meals decreases their nutritional worth.
  3. Because of this, it is likely that Jesus and his disciples consumed only lean red meat or fowl.
  4. What evidence does science provide to support this?

They came to the conclusion that humans are better suited for a plant-based diet that contains minimal meat – particularly red meat. The number of molars in our mouths varies based on our dental history. We have four canine teeth, eight frontal teeth, and numerous molars in total.

  • The four canine teeth in our lower jaw are meant to rip flesh apart. Carnivores such as alligators, wolves, and sharks have a higher concentration of this kind of tooth in their jaws. When we bite into fruits and vegetables, our eight frontal teeth, commonly known as incisors, come into play. Molars, on the other hand, are the bulk of our teeth and are positioned in the rear of the mouth. They are employed in the grinding and crushing of plants and seeds.

Our bodies, according to Dr. Colbert, are largely geared for a plant-based diet since we have molars that make up the vast majority of our teeth. Those that consume meat have jaws that are adapted to bite off bits of flesh and have considerably more than four canine teeth. Furthermore, human saliva is alkaline and rich in enzymes, such as amylase, that are specifically designed to break down plants and carbohydrate molecules. Dr. Colbert hypothesizes that this is due to the fact that we are better adapted to digest vegetables rather than meat after reviewing the data and comparing it to those of other animals.

  • As a result of his research, Dr.
  • When measured in length, our intestines are four times longer than we are tall.
  • Because of this, meat is able to travel through the digestive track swiftly and without becoming rotten.
  • The consumption of meat with minimal fiber, particularly red meat, increases the likelihood of the meat becoming trapped in our intestines, which can result in constipation or bloating.
  • What can I do to eat more in the manner of Jesus?
  • They also roasted fish in their ovens.
  • Colbert and AJ Jacobs have both collaborated with The Dr.
  • Accordingly: Jesus ate his breakfast quite early in the morning so that he would have enough energy and nutrition for the rest of the day’s labor.
  • If you ate supper at 6 p.m., you should break your fast the following morning at 6 a.m.
  • 2.Spend More Time at Lunch: Many individuals rush through lunch, eating at their desks at work, and wolfing down their meal in a short amount of time.
  • 3.At 4 p.m., have a light dinner to wind down: When you should be sleeping, your digestive system should not have to work overtime to keep up with you.

4.Wine and stroll: This is not to be confused with the practice of drinking and dining. A significant role in Jesus’ life and health was played by wine. They accompanied their meals with red wine. It’s beneficial to one’s health. But be careful not to overdo it!

What Did Jesus Eat and Drink?

Sandy Mittelsteadt contributed to this article. The increasing interest in eating and drinking during the impending Holiday Season led me to believe that writing about what Jesus ate and drank during his lifetime would be beneficial. When it came to eating, Jesus would have adhered to the dietary regulations provided down in Leviticus Chapter 11, which he would have done as an observant Jew. Regardless of the restrictions, Jesus’ diet would have been limited by what was available to him at the time of his death.

  • He most likely just ate twice a day – in the morning and in the evening – and ate very little else.
  • According to Luke 24:41-43, “41.
  • And they presented him with a piece of grilled fish as well as a honeycomb.
  • And he grabbed it and ate it in front of them.” As a result, we can be certain that Jesus ate fish and honey.
  • “9.
  • 10.
  • Jesus consumed fish caught in the Sea of Galilee.

Peter’s fish (tilapia), have been preserved.

Because big catches could be kept for times of scarcity, fish was frequently dried, smoked, or salted, which alleviated the availability problem by prolonging the shelf life of the product.

It was most likely coarse wholegrain barley bread, which would have gone rancid and moldy if it had not been consumed on a regular basis.

When it came to making bread, the wealthier people would have chosen wheat or millet.

When it comes to the grinding of flour and making bread, the Mishnah (the earliest important recorded collection of Jewish oral traditions) specifies that the wife’s responsibilities include everything from washing and cooking garments to caring for her husband’s children.

These mills were known to leave a residue of grit in the bread they produced.

Indeed, the skeletons of those who lived during the time of Jesus reveal teeth that have been worn down by years of eating stale bread.

Ordinary folks baked once a week; professional bakers in villages baked once every three days; and the only ones who baked more frequently than that were the bakers in cities.

If you’re interested in knowing more, the bread might still go moldy despite proper drying, yet it was still often consumed.

Other delicacies included grapes, raisins, vinegar, and wine (Jesus referred to Himself as “The True Vine,” and a sponge soaked in wine vinegar was presented to Jesus when He was hanging on the cross).

The region grew a variety of fruits and vegetables, including apples, pears, apricots, peaches, melons, and dates, which were all likely consumed by Jesus (a fourth-century mosaic depicts Christ surrounded by pomegranates).

Miqpeh (lentils stew) was a type of stew that consisted mostly of a hardened mass, which is exactly what occurs to cooked lentils when left to cool.

Garlic was frequently used in the preparation of miqpeh, and cabbage was also used.

For flavorings, the Bible mentions mustard (remember Jesus’ tale of the mustard seed in Mark 4:31), as well as dill, cumin, cinnamon, mint, and salt.

Jesus most likely drank water, wine, and milk while on the cross (from goats and sheep).

Besides almonds and pistachio nuts, Jesus would have enjoyed baked cakes prepared with honey, dates, and raisins for dessert. In summation, as you can see, Jesus ate a lot of fresh food that was in season at the time.

Extreme fasting: How trying to do what Jesus did could literally kill you

Alfred Ndlovu died after seeking to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by fasting in the desert. Alfred Ndlovu, a South African preacher, has starved to death as a result of malnutrition. It’s a heartbreaking narrative, but it’s not quite what it appears to be. The reason for this is that Ndlovu died, 44, not because he was unable to obtain adequate food but because he thought in his heart that he was following in the footsteps of Jesus. Ndlovu chose to fast for 40 days in the same way that Jesus did — but this time without drinking any water.

  • This is not the first time someone has attempted anything like this.
  • Others have attempted to fast for lengthy periods of time, but have failed, suffering either permanent health consequences or death as a result.
  • Many Christians observe a fast.
  • The conscious denial of our physiological cravings also serves as a statement about our willingness to deny ourselves in other aspects of life as well, such as immoral desires, laziness, and self-indulgence, to name a few.
  • Fasting is especially mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
  • Human people are capable of entirely abstaining from eating for a period of 40 days, and others believe they can go much longer.
  • Body’s metabolism slows, and organs begin to shut down as they are strained to maintain the heart and brain operating at peak performance levels.

Someone who had gone through that experience, on the other hand, would have been close to death at the end of it and would have needed weeks to recover.

Consequently, some academics argue that the tale of Jesus’ fast in the desert has to be re-written in a new way.

Even though he may have refrained from eating, some types of fast under the Judaism of that time allowed only abstention from specific types of food, therefore it was not a complete fast.

Furthermore, the span of 40 days is associated with a number of significant events in the Bible.

Others believe it is a symbolic representation of a vast period of time rather than a numerical value that should be taken literally by the reader.

Although Jesus went out to spend time with God, the story’s thesis is that he did so in order to be away from the distractions of everyday life.

His time in the bush helped him prepare for his future as a public servant.

Fasting, on the other hand, can also be a source of spiritual vanity or vainglory.

The worst-case scenario is that it is the equivalent of setting a new personal best in an athletic event. But, ultimately, what matters is God and whether or not it aids us in our walk with him. Mark Woods may be followed on Twitter at @RevMarkWoods.

What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?

  • What exactly is fasting? How long should one fast and for how long should one fast
  • Is it prescribed in the Bible to fast? Is there a difference between different types of fasting
  • What foods am I allowed to consume when fasting
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What is Fasting?

Fasting is a form of self-denial that involves going without food for an extended length of time. Fasting can be complete or partial, involving the avoidance of specific meals or the consumption of lower portions than usual. Although the exact origins of fasting as a religious practice are unknown, both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible include numerous references to people fasting for a variety of reasons.

Reasons for Fasting

A natural reaction to times of sadness, grief, and mourning is loss of appetite, and fasting has traditionally been deemed suitable at these times. When Abner was slain, David fasted as a mark of mourning for him (2 Samuel 3:35). At the time of Saul’s death, there was a seven-day fast (1 Samuel 31:13). A strong storm hit the ship carrying the apostle Paul, who was being taken to Rome as a prisoner of the Romans. Because they were afraid of dying, many on board did not eat for several days (Acts 27:18-20, 33-34).

Spiritual Preparation

It is through fasting that one becomes more humble and more receptive of God’s plan. In preparation for receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses fasted for forty days in the wilderness (Exodus 34:28). Daniel fasted for three weeks before he was granted a glimpse of the future (Daniel 10:2-6). Elijah fasted for forty days before he had a conversation with God (1 Kings19:8). Jesus fasted for forty days in order to prepare for His temptation by the devil on the third day (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13).

It is also recommended for building faith, particularly when combined with prayer.

Fasting, on the other hand, was not to be regarded an aim in and of itself, nor was it to be considered a replacement for obedience to God and doing good works (Isaiah 58:3-10).

Repentance and Atonement

When Jonah foretold the demise of Nineveh, the Ninevites fasted as a symbol of repentance in the hope that God would spare their city from destruction (Jonah 3:3-9). For the Israelites, the Day of Atonement was an annual day of rest and fasting that they were required to observe (Numbers 29:7). The Israelites regularly humbled themselves and fasted after committing a transgression in the hopes of restoring God’s favor (Judges 20:26, 1 Samuel 7:6).

Jesus’ Teachings on Fasting

Fasting, like prayer, should be done in solitude, according to Jesus, and not for public display (Matthew 6:16-18, cf., Matthew 6:5-7). The disciples of John the Baptist fasted on a regular basis in accordance with Jewish tradition, while Jesus’ disciples did not. Jesus, on the other hand, predicted that His followers would weep and fast after He had left them (Matthew 9:14-15;Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35). Fasting was something that the early Christians did at least periodically (Acts 13:3, 14:23, 2 Corinthians 6:5, 11:27).

Omitted Verses

Fasting is mentioned in the following verses in certain earlier Bible versions: 21 However, this type of thing can only be gotten rid of via prayer and fasting. (KJV 1900; Matthew 17:21; NASB 2000) 29 And he explained to them that nothing other than prayer and fasting could bring forth this type of fruit. (KJV 1900; Mark 9:29; NIV 2000) 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and, lo, a man in bright apparel appeared in front of me, saying, “I am Cornelius.” Acts 10:30 in the King James Version.

1 Corinthians 7:5 (KJV 1900; New International Version) Those allusions to fasting, on the other hand, are thought to be later additions that were not included in the original Bible texts.

1 As a result, the allusions to fasting are deleted in recent translations (Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:29, Acts 10:30, 1 Corinthians 7:5).

Fasting Not Required

Despite the biblical history of fasting, as well as Jesus’ allusions to it, the New Testament teachings do not necessitate fasting, and neither Jesus nor His disciples made fasting a requirement for their followers. Partial fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays in particular has been practiced since the earliest days of Christianity, according to tradition.

Church Traditions

Fasting is taught differently in different churches. During Lent, many Catholics maintain customs of partial fasting that have been passed down through the generations (the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter). Even more fasting days are observed by Orthodox Christians. Fasting is not strictly enforced in most Protestant churches, and there are no established traditions or norms.

Health Effects

It is not known if the partial and symbolic fasts followed by various churches are harmful to one’s health. The use of more extreme fasting regimens, on the other hand, may result in a variety of health concerns, including death. Before commencing a fasting regimen, it is essential that you get medical guidance. 1 Wood, D. R. W., and Marshall, I. H. (1996). New Bible dictionary (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press (364). InterVarsity Press, Leicester, England, and Downers Grove, Illinois.

Did Jesus eat meat?

QuestionAnswer Yes, Jesus ate flesh on the cross. A number of texts lead to this unambiguous conclusion. The earliest mention of eating flesh is found in Genesis 9:3. When God spoke to Noah after the Flood, he assured him, “Everything that lives and moves will be food for you.” In the same way that I provided you with the green plants, I am now providing you with everything.” All throughout Scripture, meat consumption was the norm, from the Passover lamb (Exodus 12) to the quail that God provided in the desert (Exodus 16) to the portions of animal sacrifices that the priests and Levites consumed (Deuteronomy 18).

  • Daniel and his three friends declined to eat the king’s cuisine in Babylon, instead opting for just vegetables (Daniel 1), although this was most likely due to the fact that there was no certainty that the meat would have been deemed clean according to Mosaic law at the time.
  • There is nothing in Jesus’ teachings that would alter or question the established meat-eating customs of the ancient world.
  • As recorded in Matthew 14, Jesus also offered fish to His people, and on two separate instances, He ordered the fishermen’s nets to be replenished (Luke 5 and John 21).
  • Jesus also prepared fish for His apostles to eat (John 21:9).
  • As part of the requirements of the law, the lamb slaughtered at Passover time was roasted and eaten by those who observed it (Exodus 12:8).
  • He carried on with his observance of the law.
  • Jesus would have been in disobedience of the Law if He had not eaten the Passover meal—a meal that included meat.

(Mark 7:19).

Declaring all foods to be clean meant that more animals were being permitted.

Romans 14:2–3 says, “One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

(verse 14).

Some groups have tried to apply Jesus’ teaching about kindness and compassion to animals.

The humane treatment of animals, however, is a different issue. The answer to the question, “Did Jesus eat meat?” is a clear “yes.” Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) Did Jesus eat meat?

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The surprising truth about fasting for Lent

The excesses of the carnival have come to an end, and the cleanup has been accomplished. So starts the traditional time of abstinence that occurs at the beginning of each year. Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter, the holiest day in the Christian calendar, during which people swear to abstain from everything from drinking and smoking to nail-biting and overeating. Nonetheless, considering the historical significance of Jesus’ death from the very beginning of Christianity, it is rather unexpected that the practice of commemorating this momentous day has altered significantly over the past two thousand years – and in some unusual ways.

Lent in the New Testament

Today, Lent is associated with Jesus’ 40-day fast (Mark 1:13; Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13), which was instituted by the apostles. Although Mark informs us that Jesus was tempted by Satan, it is in Matthew and Luke that the specifics of the temptation are laid out in greater detail. In all three of the narratives, Jesus is said to have gone without food for 40 days. According to Luke 4:5–8, the devil leads Jesus up to a mountain in order to entice him with the promise of an earthly kingdom (Matthew 4:8–10).

  1. 48r.
  2. 48r.
  3. Christians, like devotees of many other religions, have practiced fasting for centuries.
  4. The two had not previously been associated, which is unexpected given their proximity.

The holiness of hunger

Fasting, which involves abstaining from eating (and occasionally drinking) for a lengthy period of time, is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. Ancient Jews fasted on specific days throughout the year, according to the Jewish calendar. Fasting is assumed to be a typical element of Jewish religious practice in Mark 2:18–23 and Matthew 6:16–18, to name a few of passages from the Bible. Another set of Jewish literature from the Greco-Roman era depicts fasting as a viable alternative to sacrifice in certain situations.

  • Christians appear to have observed fast days on the same days as Jews throughout the early years of Christianity’s historical development.
  • In a letter written against Christians having anything in common with Jews, John Chrysostom (c.
  • John Chrysostom Dionisius is a saint who lived in the fourth century.
  • Among the many examples given in Exodus 34:28, Moses fasted before ascending the mountain to meet with God and receiving the Ten Commandments.
  • When Ezra fasts for seven days in preparation for receiving insights from God, he is described as “preparing to receive revelations from God.” An angel appears to him once he has completed his fasting time and reveals holy truths to him.
  • It should come as no surprise that later Christians started to link fasting with being near to God as a result of this.

One of the most well-known developments in fasting practice to arise after antiquity is that of the so-called ” saintly anorexics ” — women such as Angela of Foligno (1248–1309) and Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) who denied any sustenance save the Eucharist in order to maintain their sanctity.

The true origins of Lent

Fasting was mentioned in Christian writings as early as the second century, although different Christian organizations appear to have observed a variety of different sorts and lengths of fasts, and even within a church, there appeared to be divisions of opinion. Irenaeus of Lyons made a point of noting the variety: It is not just about the day that is under question, but also concerning the actual form of the fast that is being observed. Some believe they should fast one day, others two, and still others three or more; some, for that matter, believe that their day is comprised of 40 hours of daylight and darkness.

  • It is thought to have been written in the first century AD.
  • On the other hand, on Friday and Saturday, fast completely and do not eat or drink anything.
  • It is interesting that this passage does not make the connection between a six-day fast and Easter and Jesus’s suffering, but it does not make the connection between a six-day fast and Jesus’s 40-day temptation as recounted in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
  • Detail from the Temptation of Christ.
  • As baptism grew more closely connected with Easter in the fourth century AD, it is conceivable that fasting during the three-week period leading up to baptism became more generalized to include those who were already Christians.
  • The shifting customs linked with Lent may also be observed in Pope Francis’ recent declaration that women will be permitted to participate in the foot washing ritual, which commemorates Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet (John 13:1–20), as well as in other recent announcements.

In any case, it is apparent that many of the Christian feast days and fast days precede the religion, but that they have also been altered over time by the faith’s members as well. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that nothing remains the same — including religious beliefs.

So, what did Jesus eat?

There is a growing trend, notably in the United States, of incorporating the “What Would Jesus Do?” attitude into one’s cooking routine. The premise is that if one sincerely wishes to follow Jesus in every aspect of one’s life, one cannot neglect one’s dietary choices. The issue, on the other hand, is to uncover sufficient proof of what Jesus actually ate. The New Testament makes passing reference of a number of foodstuffs in connection with Jesus and in other settings, but it does not go into specific detail about any of them.

  1. It appears that several of the advice made by the Jesus diet movement for eating like Jesus are, regrettably, out of touch with the times today.
  2. Other theories, on the other hand, plainly reveal more about the worldview of their proponents than they do about Jesus’ diet: there is no proof, for example, that Jesus was a vegetarian or that he did not use alcohol.
  3. A Jesus diet book from the early 1900s claims that bread was “the food that Jesus ate the most frequently,” and that it is “the ideal regimen for eating properly, feeling wonderful, and living longer.” This is a possibility.
  4. “Eating a freshly made loaf of wholegrain bread every day was and continues to be a healthy way of life,” says the author.
  5. Flour was ground in stone mills to make bread in the olden days.
  6. The restrictions in theMishnah require a minimum of ten percent impurity in purchased items; thus, we may presume that there was frequently more than ten percent impurity remaining in the flour.
  7. The author of Colbert’s book correctly points out that wheat bread was deemed superior than barley bread, which was thought to be a poor man’s diet, as demonstrated by the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.
  8. It is mentioned in the Mishnah and contemporary Greek papyri from Roman Egypt that there are distinct sorts of bread for slaves and masters.
  9. It would have taken several hours to search for enough fuel to bake every day, and the cost of fuel was prohibitively exorbitant.
  10. Bread was frequently dried in the sun in order to prevent it from going bad.
  11. Despite proper drying, the bread might still become moldy, although it was frequently consumed despite this.
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The comedian ends by saying, “We surely know that Jesus ate clean, unpolluted fish practically every day of his life.” It is undeniably true that freshwater fish such as carp, St Peter’s fish (tilapia), and catfish were collected in the Sea of Galilee throughout the first century, as evidenced by the discovery of fish bones in local archaeological investigations.

  • There would also have been difficulties in transporting fish in the absence of modern refrigeration: how far could it be transported from the sea without turning bad in the intense heat of the Middle East?
  • And would the expense of transportation have been unreasonably expensive in comparison to the price of the fish?
  • The most straightforward method of cooking fish would have been over charcoal.
  • According to the Jesus diet, there is a debate about whether “fish with egg on top of it is one food or two,” which may be understood as meaning an egg batter — which may be less healthful than the proponents of the Jesus diet would want, but is undoubtedly delicious.
  • Because big harvests of fish could be preserved for times of scarcity, drying, smoking, or salting fish would have eased the problem of availability, which would have been a concern in the past.
  • Archaeologists digging at Migdal have discovered what they believe to be evidence of fish-salting practices.
  • In contrast, the Roman fish-saucegarum appears to have been a luxury that was out of reach for the common people.

People who advocate for eating like Jesus are reasonable in assuming that he would have eaten only kosher meat, and that he would have done so only on special occasions like as Passover or at weddings and other celebrations.

People are asked if they should seek for the owner of objects that have been found lying in the street in one passage in the Mishnah.

In other words, people were frequently so impoverished that they were willing to consume meat that had been picked up off the ground, even though it was unlikely to be fresh, but was plainly too valuable to be thrown away.

The book of Leviticus prohibits the ingestion of most “creeping creatures,” with the exception of locusts.

As described in Mark 1.6, John the Baptist consumed insects that were later identified as carobs, which are still known as Johannnesbrot in German, but the Greek language of the New Testament makes it plain that he consumed ateakrides, which is the Greek term for locusts.

It is only under specific climatic conditions that the common species changes color to become S chistocerca gregaris, the swarming desert locust that was responsible for the invasions described in the Old Testament.

Rabbi Judah bar Ilai, who lived in the second century, said that “anything that is a form of curse, do not say grace over it.” However, although eggs are only briefly mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel, we can safely assume that they were a part of Jesus’ diet because the Mishnah frequently mentions domestic bird eggs — such as those from hens, ducks and geese — as well as the eggs of small wild birds that the poor would have foraged.

  1. Proponents of the Jesus diet also believe that he would have consumed a large amount of vegetables, beans, and pulses during his lifetime.
  2. During that historical period, bean and/or lentil stew, known asmiqpeh, was a popular meal; however, the phrase alludes to a solidified mass, which is what happens to cooked lentils when they are allowed to cool.
  3. Miqpehwas frequently flavored with garlic and other vegetables, such as cabbage, were added to the dish.
  4. Dill, cumin, and mint are all recorded in the New Testament as herbs that the Pharisees tithed from their harvests to the Temple.
  5. He did, without a doubt, drink water and red wine.
  6. Natural water supplies were prone to contamination by dead animals, washing, industrialization, and sewage, among other things.
  7. Water was frequently gathered in open cisterns, which were susceptible to contamination from a variety of contaminants dumped into them; if they were covered up, algae may develop in them.
  8. Water was so valuable that it was frequently recycled, like in the case of theMischnahmentions, which recycled fermented water that had previously been used by a baker.
  9. One traditional method was to depend on the antibacterial qualities of wine, which was frequently mixed with water to create a disinfectant solution.
  10. Although some have speculated that he solely drank unfermented wine, this has not been proven.
  11. However, even when fermentation was successful, there was still the possibility that the wine would become sour, as evidenced by the sour wine offered to Jesus on the cross (Mark 15.23), which is the type of wine typically consumed by the poorest members of society.

Indeed, given what has been demonstrated by Jewish sources and archaeological data, it is not quite apparent why someone would desire to do so in the first place. Susan Weingarten is an archaeologist and culinary historian who lives in Galilee with her husband and two children.

How Long Did Jesus’ Fast in the Wilderness Last?

APPLYING the slogan “What Would Jesus Do?” to one’s cooking is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the United States. In short, if one truly wants to follow Jesus in all aspects of life, he or she cannot ignore one’s eating habits. Obtaining sufficient evidence of what Jesus ate, on the other hand, will prove to be difficult. The New Testament makes passing mention of a number of foodstuffs in connection with Jesus and in other contexts, but it does not go into detail about any of these foods.

  1. The Jesus diet movement appears to be promoting eating like Jesus, but some of the suggestions for doing so appear to be out of date.
  2. In contrast to these suggestions, there is no evidence that Jesus was a vegetarian or that he did not consume alcohol.
  3. WHAT WOULD JESUS EAT?
  4. Colbert points out that the breads of Jesus’ day were coarse wholegrain loaves that were prone to going rancid and mouldy if they were not eaten on a daily basis, according to Colbert.
  5. The reality of first-century Palestine, on the other hand, was far less pleasant to deal with.
  6. While women in Roman cities could grind grain in large bakeries with mills the height of a man, in the countryside, grinding grain was a back-breaking task best left to men, who relied on small hand-mills made of coarse stone or primitive saddle-querns.
  7. There is a ten-percent impurity limit in the Mishnah, thus we may presume that there was often more than ten percent impurity remained in the flour, according to these rules of thumb.

The author of Colbert’s book correctly points out that wheat bread was deemed superior than barley bread, which was thought to be a poor man’s meal, as demonstrated by the miracle of the five thousand.

It is mentioned in the Mishnah and contemporary Greek papyri from Roman Egypt that there are distinct sorts of bread for masters and slaves.

In order to gather enough fuel to bake every day, it would have taken several hours, and fuel was prohibitively expensive to purchase.

A common method of preventing bread from going bad was to dry it out in the sunlight.

Despite proper drying, the bread might still become mouldy, although it was frequently consumed despite this.

As Colbert concludes, “we are convinced that Jesus ate clean, unpolluted fish nearly every day of his life.” It is unquestionably true that freshwater fish such as carp, St Peter’s fish (tilapia), and catfish could be obtained in the Sea of Galilee throughout the first century, as evidenced by the discovery of fish bones in local archaeological investigations.

  • Transporting fish would have been difficult without modern refrigeration because of the heat in the Middle East.
  • Would fresh fish have been accessible in Nazareth, which is about 30 kilometers from the Sea of Galilee, at the time of Jesus’ death?
  • After all, the prospect of eating fresh fish every day seemed remote.
  • While the Mishnah mentions that fish was sometimes fried, it also mentions that it was prepared with leeks, which may have been to increase the flavor of the dish.
  • In any case, it’s possible that Jesus ate different types of fish products in addition to real seafood.
  • We learn from the first-century Roman historian Strabo that there was a salting business on the beaches of the Sea of Galilee at Tarichiheae (which means “salt fish” in Greek), or Migdal Nunia (“the tower of the fish”), which is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Israel.
  • Salted fish is mentioned in the Mishnah as a regular dish, and the salty, fish-flavored liquid left over after the salting process, known as tzir, was frequently used as a dip for bread and other bread products.

Excavations at King Herod’s residence at Masada turned up the remains of marked ceramicgarumjars, which had been brought from Spain specifically for King Herod.

Meat was, without a doubt, too expensive.

There is a rule that some unidentified goods are the property of the finder, such as “dispersed fruit, scattered money, cakes of figs, bakers’ loaves, threads of fish, and pieces of flesh,” and that the finder is the owner of these items.

In the Jesus diet, locusts are one type of “flesh” that may have been consumed by Jesus, but it is not suggested to do so.

It’s possible that eating the locusts that ruined your crops meant the difference between life and death if your crops were decimated by locusts.

One of the two types of desert locust that Jews were permitted to consume was theSchistocercasolitaris, which was endemic and could almost probably have been eaten by John in the desert.

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It is only under specific climatic conditions that the common species changes color to become S chistocerca gregaris, the swarming desert locust that was responsible for the invasions described in the Bible.

Rabbi Judah bar Ilai, who lived in the second century, advised against saying grace over something that was akin to a curse.

It is also assumed that the Jesus diet would have included abundance of vegetables, beans, and pulses by those who support it.

It was typical to serve bean and/or lentil stew, known asmiqpeh, back then, but the phrase alludes to a solidified mass, which is what occurs to cooked lentils when they are allowed to cool.

Garlic was frequently used to flavor miqpeh, while other vegetables, such as cabbage, were frequently used.

Herbs like dill, cumin, and mint are all referenced in the New Testament as being tithed by the Pharisees.

That’s an interesting topic.

As well as other “juices and herbal teas,” Colbert claims he has had a variety of other beverages, and that “we may follow Jesus’ example by making sure our water is clean, filtered, or distillated.” In first-century Palestine, pure water, on the other hand, was difficult to find.

Large Roman towns were provided with piped water, however it was done so with lead pipes, rather than copper pipes.

Although the Sea of Galilee provided reasonably pure water, the residents of Nazareth, which was perched on a hill, would have had to rely on springs and cisterns, with all of the issues that would have resulted from such a situation.

Individuals were aware that dirty water may be lethal even before the discovery of microbes.

Among dieticians who promote following Jesus’ diet, the notion that Jesus drank copious amounts of wine is, obviously, unpopular.

For the most part, fermentation was necessary to keep the grape juice fresh for as long as possible.

Indeed, recreating the cuisine of first-century Galilee is a challenging undertaking.

Indeed, based on what has been demonstrated by Jewish sources and archaeological data, it is difficult to see why someone would desire to do so. Originally from Galilee, Susan Weingarten is an archaeologist and culinary historian who currently resides in New York City.

When and How Long Did Jesus Fast?

Just after Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan river, we are informed that heaven opens and the Spirit of God descends upon him, and the voice of God can be heard proclaiming, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” This is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 3:16-17). Afterwards, Jesus promptly departs for the desert, where he will be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1). According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” when he was tested for forty days by the devil.

Many believe that the temptation helped Jesus prepare for his ministry.

Where Did Jesus Fast?

It is believed by scholars that Jesus fasted in the Judean wilderness, which is located close to the Jordan River. Temptation Mountain is an isolated and secluded location that overlooks the city but is steep and difficult to climb, according to legend, where the devil took him at one time. It is said to be the location where the devil kidnapped him at one point.

What Happens in This Story?

When Jesus fasts in each of the gospel stories, it signifies that he has chosen to limit or eliminate his food consumption. According to Luke’s story, “he didn’t eat anything for those days, and towards the end of them he was starving” (Luke 4:2). Jesus is tested at this period, as the devil tempts him in an attempt to take advantage of Jesus’s vulnerable position. To gain the grandeur of all the kingdoms of the earth, the devil tells Jesus to transform a stone into bread, to hurl himself from a cliff (to illustrate how the angels would save him), and to worship him (the devil).

  1. The reality that “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” is how Jesus responds to the devil’s challenge to change the stone into bread (Matt.
  2. To the challenge of jumping from the cliff, Jesus responds with the words, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matt.
  3. And in response to the temptation to prostrate oneself and worship the devil, Jesus says, “Away from me, Satan!
  4. After that, the devil went; Jesus had passed the test and had refused to give in to temptation.

Why Did Jesus Fast?

Jesus most likely fasted in order to prepare himself for service by becoming more intimate with God. One of the reasons people fast is to put their bodies into a condition of weakness, which allows them to concentrate on the essentials of life and hear God’s message more clearly without the distractions of so-called creature comforts, which may both soothe and divert us from our spiritual quest. Jesus was well aware that he had a difficult task ahead of him and that he needed to clear his brain before beginning to perform miracles.

He also saw that he needed to comprehend the far inferior intellect of humans, a sinful and occasionally rebellious people that sorely needed their savior, Messiah, the Christ, to be understood.

Did Jesus Drink Water or Eat Anything WhileFasting?

Fasting entails drastically decreasing one’s caloric intake, and in certain cases, completely eliminating it. We aren’t given any information on what is happening. Some academics believe Jesus ate nothing at all, which is consistent with the passage in Luke 4:2. Others believe he scavenged the bleak countryside for pieces of food that he had consumed very little of—virtually nothing. Because the fast simply mentions that he “ate nothing,” rather than that he “drank nothing,” the majority of scholars conclude that water was most likely consumed during this period.

How Did Jesus Fast for Forty Days?

Water and food are only needed for a few days, and people can go without water for a few weeks at the most, according to scientists. Forty days is a much longer period of time. According to the standard male lifespan, Jesus would not have survived forty days if he had only consumed water and not eaten anything. He was not, however, a typical man; he was the Son of God who was empowered by the Holy Spirit and endowed with supernatural gifts, which enabled him to fast for however long was required.

Even if he had consumed some food during the fast, he would have been in a physically and psychologically weakened state as a result of it.

It’s likely that he prayed and meditated in the presence of the Lord during this time.

What Is the Point of Fasting?

Some people fast in order to lose weight, however the majority of people fast for spiritual reasons instead. The majority of the time, individuals engage in a spiritual fast as a means of depriving themselves of physical pleasures, or even basic nutrition, in order to achieve a higher level of consciousness and knowledge of the Lord. Jesus would have fasted in order to come closer to God and to concentrate on his spiritual self, putting aside as many of his physical demands and desires as he could.

When we fast, we do it in order to deny ourselves and achieve more spiritual understanding.

We also fast in order to show our support for those who are suffering.

How Can We Do a Fast Today?

If you are interested in attempting a spiritual fast, keep in mind that you are not Jesus, and that going into the wilderness alone for forty days is not a suggested choice for you. There are, however, several safe methods of fasting that you can use. In the Bible, fasting is mentioned dozens of times as a method of prayer, of grieving, or of drawing closer to God. First and foremost, contact with a medical professional before fasting to ensure that you do it in a healthy manner. Following that, experts recommend that you begin with short durations of time at a time and work your way up to larger periods.

  1. It is more important to realize that the goal is to reach a state of bodily denial in order to better focus on your spiritual heart.
  2. Allow yourself to be honest and vulnerable with your Creator throughout this period of time.
  3. What we don’t know is whether Jesus fasted only once or whether this was a regular occurrence for him.
  4. In contrast, when Jesus emerged triumphant from the desert and into the presence of his heavenly Father, he was ready and eager to accomplish anything God asked of him—including dying on the Cross for the sins of all mankind.
  5. We can also learn about the necessity of spending time alone with God and about what we can learn when we walk away from bodily comfort and embrace difficulties for a period of time.
  6. What Is the Purpose of Fasting, Exactly?
  7. Her novel, The Memory Garden, was nominated for the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award, which she received for her work as a Christian novelist.
  8. Jessica Brodie’s fiction may be found at jessicabrodie.com, as well as her religious blog.

She also does a weeklyYouTubedevotional on her channel. You may also find her on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and others. She’s also written a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices for When You’re Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, which you can get here.

Verse by Verse Ministry International

We were reading at Matthew 4:1-11, which is about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness, with my bible study group. What we wanted to know was if it was a literal 40 days, or if those 40 days might be interpreted as a metaphor for Jesus’ whole stay on this planet. Perhaps the desert represents this world because it is as barren and devoid of spiritual nutrition as a true desert is devoid of food and water, and so it could serve as a metaphor for it. Assuming Jesus was a fully developed human being, he would have perished after 40 actual days without food or drink, wouldn’t he?

One of the most important laws of good interpretation is the Golden Rule, which asserts that when the plain meaning of scripture makes common sense, there is no need to look for any other meaning.

With regard to Matthew 4, which contains the narrative of Jesus’ 40-day fast, there is no reason for seeking a secondary or alternative meaning for the terms “Jesus fasted” and “Jesus fasted for 40 days.” The correct interpretation is that Jesus did, in fact, fast for a period of 40 days in succession.

Matt. 4:1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.Matt. 4:2And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

Take note that the text states that Jesus fasted. No specifics are given as to the sort of fast He underwent. Furthermore, it is stated that towards the conclusion of the fasting period, Jesus became hungry himself (but not thirsty). Finally, when we examine Luke’s Gospel account of the identical event, we discover the following:

Luke 4:1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wildernessLuke 4:2for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.

During the 40 days, according to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus “did not eat anything.” Based on these meticulous observations, we may conclude that Jesus fasted just from eating, rather than from food and water. Throughout the 40-day period, he appeared to have been drinking water. This is characteristic of the Jewish fasting practices that were prevalent at the time. Jews will fast either from eating alone or from food and drink for a specified period of time. Unlike food fasts, which may last up to forty days, food and drink fasts can only last for seven days or less.

In truth, 40-day food fasts are still performed today by both Jews and Christians, despite the passage of time.

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