Food is mentioned quite a lot in the New Testament! It's difficult to give an exact number without being overly technical (e.g., do we count "eat," "ate," "meal," etc.?). However, a reasonable estimate would be
well over 300 times.
Here's why it's so prevalent and some key areas where it appears:
* Miracles: Jesus' miracles often involve food, such as the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000, turning water into wine, and the miraculous catch of fish.
* Meals and Hospitality: Sharing meals was a central part of Jesus' ministry and early Christian community life. The Last Supper is paramount, but there are many other instances of Jesus eating with his disciples and others, even tax collectors and sinners.
* Parables: Food and related concepts are used metaphorically in many parables, such as the parable of the sower (seed/grain), the wedding feast, and the prodigal son (the fatted calf).
* Dietary Laws and Purity: The New Testament discusses the relaxation of some Old Testament dietary laws. Debates arise about what is considered clean or unclean food.
* Fasting: Fasting is discussed as a spiritual practice.
* Offerings: Food is mentioned as offerings.
* General Sustenance: References to daily bread and the need for nourishment are also common.
Therefore, while a precise number would be challenging, it's safe to say food is a recurring and significant theme in the New Testament.