Quick Answer: What does the bible say about foods not to eat? In the KJV, God gave Israel clear clean/unclean categories (especially in Deuteronomy 14). Jesus later taught that food entering the body does not defile the heart (Mark 7). In Acts 10, God also shows that what He has cleansed should not be called common.
Many believers ask, what foods should Christians avoid, and whether God still limits the diet of His people. In the KJV, Deuteronomy 14 lays out specific categories of animals and birds that were considered unclean and therefore not to be eaten. Yet Jesus clarifies the deeper issue of defilement: Mark 7 emphasizes that what enters the body does not corrupt the heart. Then Acts 10 records Peter’s vision, where God teaches that what He cleanses should not be called common. Together, these passages help you read dietary instructions with both reverence and discernment—seeking God’s holiness while also trusting His guidance for the New Testament church. If you’ve wondered how these teachings connect, you’re not alone.
At a Glance — Verses in This Article
Deuteronomy 14:3-21
Mark 7:18-19
Acts 10:9-16
Bible Verses
Deuteronomy 14:3-21 (King James Version)
“Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat. Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you. 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. These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat: And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you. Of all clean birds ye shall eat. But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and ossifrage, and the ospray, And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind, And every raven after his kind, And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant, And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten. But of all clean fowls ye may eat. Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.”
This passage lists specific **unclean foods** (land animals, birds, and creatures) and clarifies what Israel was not to eat or even touch.
Mark 7:18-19 (King James Version)
“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 teaches that food does not defile a person spiritually because it does not enter the **heart**, but goes through the body.
Acts 10:9-16 (King James Version)
“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. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”
In Peter’s vision, God commands him to eat and then explains that **what God cleansed** should not be called common.
Deuteronomy 14: God’s Holiness and Clear Dietary Boundaries
When people search for foods the Bible forbids eating, they often start with Deuteronomy 14:3-21. In this law, God teaches Israel that holiness affects ordinary life, including meals. The passage describes animals that were considered unclean—such as certain land creatures that do not meet the stated criteria for cleft hoof and chewing the cud, as well as specific birds and creeping things that fly. It also emphasizes Israel’s sacred identity: they were to be a holy people unto the LORD.
At first glance, this can raise a question: are these rules simply historical, or do they still bind Christians today? One important way to read Deuteronomy is to recognize its purpose: it trained God’s people to treat God’s Word as trustworthy and their bodies as belonging to Him. Dietary boundaries were not merely about taste; they were about obedience, separation, and gratitude.
Yet Scripture does not stop with Deuteronomy. The New Testament records Jesus interpreting the matter of defilement and God directly re-teaching Peter in Acts 10. This means that the Christian conversation about diet must account for God’s full revelation: the holiness Deuteronomy describes, and the spiritual clarity Jesus and the apostles later proclaim.
So, Deuteronomy 14 remains crucial—not only for its lists, but for the principle behind them: God’s people should take His instructions seriously. But the next passages explain what ultimately counts as spiritual defilement and how God’s cleansing works in Christ’s mission to the nations.
Mark 7: What Defiles Isn’t Food—It’s the Heart
Mark 7:18-19 shifts the focus from external categories to internal reality. Jesus addresses the question of understanding, and He makes a direct statement: “whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man” does not defile him because it does not enter the heart; it enters the belly and then goes out, “purging all meats.”
This is an essential answer to those who ask whether certain foods are spiritually “contaminated.” Jesus is not denying that God’s instructions are meaningful—rather, He clarifies the nature of defilement. Defilement is not caused by merely consuming a food item. The heart is the spiritual center; what issues from the heart is what matters most.
In practical terms, Mark 7 helps Christians evaluate dietary concerns through a gospel lens: God cares about holiness, but He also cares about the condition of the heart—faithfulness, repentance, and love. When believers argue over foods, Jesus’ teaching warns against turning diet into the measure of spiritual purity. If someone’s heart is turned away from God, no meal can fix that.
Still, Mark 7 can be misunderstood if it’s treated as “anything goes.” Jesus’ words are about spiritual defilement, not necessarily about ignoring wisdom, conscience, or responsibility. Christians should also be mindful of stumbling others. But the core point stands: food itself is not the defiling agent.
When you connect Mark 7 with the earlier law of Deuteronomy, you see that God’s holiness is deeper than dietary checklists. The body is involved, but the heart is where God judges.
Acts 10: God’s Cleansing and the New Testament Reach
Acts 10:9-16 provides one of the clearest developments in Scripture related to whether Christians should avoid certain foods. Peter becomes hungry and is given a vision: a sheet-like vessel is lowered containing “all manner of fourfooted beasts,” wild animals, creeping things, and birds. Peter refuses, saying he has never eaten anything common or unclean.
Then comes the decisive instruction: “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.” Peter objects, but the voice responds with a principle that reaches beyond one meal: “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” The vision happens “thrice,” reinforcing that this message is not a casual impression.
This matters because Acts 10 is not only about food. It unfolds around Peter’s ministry and God’s plan to reach people beyond Israel. God uses a dietary boundary issue to teach Peter that God’s cleansing extends further than previous categories had suggested for Peter’s understanding. In other words, God is re-ordering Peter’s thinking in light of His work.
For Christians today, Acts 10 encourages a faithful posture: instead of clinging to assumptions, we listen for God’s cleansing. If God cleanses something, calling it common resists His Word. But the passage also shows that genuine faith includes honesty—Peter is sincere, and yet God corrects his understanding.
When placed alongside Mark 7, Acts 10 supports the idea that food is not a spiritual “taint” that originates from the food entering the body. Instead, God’s authority defines what is clean in His plan, and His people follow that guidance with trust.
How to Respond Today: Reverence, Conviction, and Love
If you’re trying to apply Scripture to everyday decisions, start with humility. First, take God’s holiness seriously. Even though Jesus clarifies that food does not defile the heart, Deuteronomy shows that God’s people can honor Him in practical ways. Second, let Mark 7 guard your spiritual priorities: don’t treat diet as the measure of righteousness. Ask, “What is happening in my heart?” rather than only, “Is this food on a list?”
Third, learn from Acts 10’s key principle: what God cleansed should not be called common. That means Christians should be cautious about turning personal preferences, cultural norms, or inherited assumptions into a binding spiritual law. If your conscience says “I should not eat this,” that’s worth taking seriously; but do not condemn another believer who is acting in faith.
Fourth, practice love and discernment. If a choice about food creates division, choose peace. Even where Scripture provides freedom, wisdom helps you avoid unnecessary conflict.
Finally, bring your questions to prayer. God can help you understand Scripture, align your conscience with His Word, and live with a clean heart. The goal is not merely to settle an argument about diet, but to grow in trust, obedience, and Christlike character.
In short: honor God, examine your heart, respect conscience, and follow the direction of God’s cleansing and Jesus’ teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods the Bible forbids eating according to the Old Testament?
In Deuteronomy 14:3-21 (KJV), God lists animals, birds, and creatures that Israel was not to eat because they were considered unclean. The passage includes guidance about land animals, birds, and creatures in the waters, plus a clear instruction to avoid eating what God calls unclean.
How does Mark 7 change the way we think about food and spiritual defilement?
Mark 7:18-19 (KJV) teaches that what enters the body does not defile a person because it does not enter the heart. Jesus explains that food goes into the belly and leaves the body, “purging all meats.” The heart is the key issue for spiritual purity.
Does Acts 10 suggest that Christians should avoid certain foods?
Acts 10:9-16 (KJV) shows God cleansing Peter’s understanding and commanding him, “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.” The explanation—“What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common”—indicates Christians should not treat God-cleansed things as spiritually forbidden.
Are there modern rules for diet that still apply to believers?
From these passages, diet should never be used as a substitute for the condition of the heart. God’s holiness matters, but Jesus teaches food doesn’t defile the heart (Mark 7), and God’s cleansing matters (Acts 10). Christians can still act wisely and in love, respecting conscience and avoiding unnecessary division.
A Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word that teaches holiness without crushing the heart. Help us understand Your teaching that defilement is not carried in food into the heart, and teach us to trust Your cleansing. Give us wisdom to honor You with reverence, courage to follow what You have clarified, and love toward others as we make decisions about food and conscience. Lead us in faith and keep our hearts clean before You. Amen.
Por Fernando Ortiz 
