Can I eat chicken on Good Friday in the Bible?

Every year, during Holy Week, many Christians around the world ask, “Can I eat chicken on Good Friday?” This question often arises from religious traditions and practices surrounding the observance of Good Friday—a solemn day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. While some abstain from certain foods as an act of devotion, others wonder what the Bible specifically says about these dietary choices. This post examines what Scripture teaches about eating chicken—or any meat—on Good Friday, and explores the origins of this tradition.

The Biblical Context: What Does Scripture Say?

The first step in answering the question is to look directly at the Bible. Nowhere in the Old or New Testament is there a commandment or instruction regarding abstaining from chicken—or any specific type of meat—on Good Friday. In fact, Good Friday as an annual observance is not mentioned in the Bible at all. The day developed as a Christian tradition centuries after the events of the New Testament.

Old Testament Dietary Laws

In the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites specific dietary laws, primarily found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These passages detail which animals are clean or unclean for consumption. Chicken is not listed among the unclean birds and is therefore considered permissible to eat according to Jewish dietary law. However, these restrictions were given to the people of Israel under the Old Covenant and were not specifically tied to particular days of remembrance such as Good Friday.

The New Testament and Christian Freedom

With the coming of Jesus and the establishment of the New Covenant, the early church faced questions about food laws. In the New Testament, Jesus taught that it is not what goes into a person that makes them unclean, but what comes out of their heart (Mark 7:18-19). Later, in Acts 10, Peter receives a vision from God declaring all foods clean, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles in the faith.

The Apostle Paul also addresses food and religious observances in Romans 14:2-3, emphasizing that believers should not judge one another over what they eat or the days they observe. Paul writes, “One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.”

The Origin of Abstaining from Meat on Good Friday

The tradition of not eating meat on Good Friday did not originate directly from the Bible but from church customs developed centuries later. The Catholic Church, along with some other Christian denominations, has long practiced abstaining from meat (especially red meat and poultry) on Fridays during Lent, with Good Friday being especially significant. The act of abstinence is meant to be a form of penance and a way to honor the sacrifice of Jesus. Fish, being a symbol of Christ and considered a different category of food, is often permitted instead.

Personal Conviction and Respect for Tradition

While the Bible does not command abstinence from chicken or other meats on Good Friday, many Christians choose to follow this tradition as a sign of respect and devotion. Others, based on their understanding of Scripture and Christian liberty, feel free to eat chicken or any other food. The key biblical principle is to act according to one’s conscience and to avoid judging others for their personal choices (Romans 14:5-6).

Conclusion

So, can you eat chicken on Good Friday according to the Bible? Scripture does not prohibit eating chicken or any other meat on this day. The practice of abstaining from meat on Good Friday is a church tradition rather than a biblical command.