What did John the Baptist's diet consist of?

Answer 1

We are told in scripture that he ate 'locusts and wild honey'. John was a Nazirite - a Jewish sect whose members were set apart either for life or for a set time to serve God in a special way. To mark them out from others they never cut their hair, wore srange clothes and ate strange food. Samson was also a Nazirite - who famously lost his strength when one of Delilah's servants cut off his hair, making him lose his identity as a Nazirite and thus demoralising him in the extreme so that his strength went.

There has been a lot of debate about John's food. Some think that he could not possibly eat locusts as they are insects and inedible, preferring to believe that there was an error in the story in that he ate locust beans instead - something that is quite tasty. However, knowing someone who has eaten locusts regularly in the Middle East, he tells me that, when cooked, they are quite delicious - with a savoury nutty flavour - and very nutritious. So, it is likely that John ate well on locusts. They were plentiful, tasty, full of protein, minerals and vitamins, and, coupled with the carbohydrate and trace elements present in wild honey, he would have had a very balanced diet, if a slight monotonous!

Matthew 3:4 (KJV) And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Mark 1:6 (KJV) And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

Answer 2

Matthew 3:4New International Version (NIV)

4 John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

He would drink water primarily.

Answer 3

According to the Gospel of Matthew, John ate locusts and wild honey in the wilderness.

Answer 4

John lived on locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:6

And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

Answer 5

Matthew 3:4 - And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. [NKJV]

Answer 6

According to scriptures, he ate whatever he could find in the desert, including wild honey and locusts (insects).
honey and locusts

Answer 7

Locusts and wild honey

Answer 8

Locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).

Answer 9

Honey and locust