If Leviticus 11 is God’s eternal command, why does Acts 10:9–16 appear to contradict these dietary laws?

Leviticus 11 and Acts 10: An Overview

Leviticus 11 presents dietary instructions given to ancient Israel, distinguishing clean and unclean animals. It reads, in part, “The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘Say to the Israelites, “Of all the animals of the earth, these are the ones you may eat…”’” (Leviticus 11:1–2). These laws served a unique covenant purpose, setting Israel apart from surrounding nations.

Acts 10:9–16 recounts the apostle Peter’s vision on a rooftop in Joppa, where he sees a sheet lowered from heaven containing various animals, both clean and unclean, and hears a voice saying, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” Peter protests, declaring that he has never eaten anything unclean. Yet the voice replies, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15). This passage raises questions about whether it overturns or contradicts the directives found in Leviticus 11.

1. Historical and Covenant Context of Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11 is part of the holiness code given to Israel as they prepared to inhabit the Promised Land. These instructions shaped national identity and reinforced the covenant made through Moses.

• Purpose for Ancient Israel: By following these dietary practices, Israel would be a “holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). The distinct food laws provided daily reminders of their unique relationship with God.

• Ceremonial and Symbolic Role: Apart from the practical considerations (e.g., health benefits that may accompany avoiding certain creatures), these distinctions carried symbolic weight. They reminded Israel of God's purity, which they were to reflect (Leviticus 11:44–45).

• Eternal Principles, Specific Application: Though described as part of God’s eternal Word, the immediate application of clean and unclean foods was closely tied to Israel's national identity and worship practices under the Mosaic covenant.

2. The Vision of Peter in Acts 10

Peter’s experience occurs after the resurrection of the Messiah, during a time when the good news began to spread beyond the Jewish community.

• The Context: Peter, a devout Jew, was staying in Joppa. While praying on the rooftop at noon, he fell into a trance and saw “all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air” (Acts 10:12).

• Immediate Shock: When the voice told him to eat, Peter’s response underscores his life-long adherence to Jewish dietary regulations (Acts 10:14).

• God’s Explanation: The directive “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15) signaled a shift in redemptive history. Shortly after, God led Peter to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile, to proclaim the gospel.

3. Interpreting the Apparent Contradiction

Some see a contradiction between Leviticus 11 and the statement in Acts 10. However, the apparent conflict emerges from misunderstanding God’s progressive revelation and the changing covenants through Scripture.

A. The Symbolism of the Vision

Acts 10 is less about food specifically and more about the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s plan of salvation. Peter himself understands the vision’s symbolic message: “God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28). This broadens the scope of God’s people beyond Israel alone.

B. Fulfillment Rather Than Abrogation

The ceremonial laws of the Mosaic covenant find their fulfillment in the new covenant established by the Messiah’s death and resurrection (see Matthew 5:17–18). As the writer of Hebrews explains, “the law is only a shadow of the good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). Christ’s perfect sacrifice brought the reality foreshadowed by ceremonial regulations.

C. Expansion of God’s Redemptive Plan

Leviticus 11 initially quote-unquote “separates” the people of Israel from other nations. In Acts 10, God emphasizes the intrinsic value of all people groups. This does not invalidate His Word but unveils the next phase of His plan: redemption for both Jew and Gentile (see Ephesians 2:14–17).

4. The Role of Dietary Laws in Early Church Communities

While the vision in Acts 10 addresses the deeper matter of Gentile inclusion, it also relates to dietary questions in the early Church.

• Acts 15 Council: The Jerusalem Council discussed how Gentile believers should follow certain guidelines (Acts 15:19–20). They concluded that Gentiles were not required to keep all Mosaic laws—only to abstain from specific practices associated with idolatry and from consuming blood.

• Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8: Paul teaches believers to be considerate of one another’s consciences regarding food. Food, in itself, does not commend us to God (1 Corinthians 8:8). This principle helped unify Jewish and Gentile believers without burdening them with conditions that Christ fulfilled.

• Mark 7:19 Insight: The Gospel of Mark clarifies that by teaching about what truly defiles a person (the sin in one’s heart), Jesus “declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19). The fullness of this teaching materialized in Peter’s rooftop vision.

These points show that once the Messiah came, the identity markers of God’s people were no longer primarily dietary but centered upon faith in Him (Galatians 3:28).

5. Consistency of Scriptural Teaching

The thread running from Leviticus 11 to Acts 10 is woven within a single story of redemption rather than contradictory commands:

1. God’s Holiness and Israel’s Distinction: Leviticus 11 called Israel to reflect holiness by outward observance.

2. Messiah’s Fulfillment of the Law: The ceremonial aspects, including dietary regulations, prefigured deeper spiritual truths.

3. Universal Scope of Salvation: By Acts 10, the covenant blessings extend to the Gentiles, guided by Christ’s completed work.

These teachings cohere in showing stages of God’s unfolding plan without dissolving the authority of Scripture. Numerous Second Temple Jewish writings (such as some found among the Dead Sea Scrolls) highlight the significance of holiness codes. Yet they also mention the anticipation of a coming new covenant era. This confirms that the early believers did not see the message of Christ as negating the older Scripture but as the fulfillment of the promises it contained.

Manuscript evidence (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus for the New Testament) confirms the reliability of these passages in Acts and Leviticus. The consistency of extant biblical manuscripts, from the Masoretic Text for the Hebrew Scriptures to early papyri and codices for the New Testament, underscores a coherent narrative rather than a contradictory collection.

6. Practical Application and Theological Implications

A. Unity in Christ

Acts 10 reveals that no cultural or ceremonial boundary can restrict the gospel. Believers today can celebrate the unity achieved among diverse backgrounds (Ephesians 4:4–6).

B. Respect for Scripture’s Authority

Although specific commands shift in application under different covenants, every word of Scripture retains lasting authority (2 Timothy 3:16). Leviticus 11 remains instructive for understanding God’s holiness and ancient Israel’s context.

C. Living Out Holiness Today

The faithful who read Leviticus 11 can still glean the principle of setting themselves apart from sin. Rather than abiding by strict dietary separation to attain righteousness, believers uphold holiness by embracing Christ’s righteousness and living in the Holy Spirit’s power (Romans 8:2–4).

Conclusion

Leviticus 11’s dietary instructions do not lose their value simply because Acts 10:9–16 appears to introduce something new. Instead, they are honored and fulfilled in the Messiah’s perfect work, which opened the door for all nations to receive the gospel.

The early church grappled with these questions as the boundaries of covenant swiftly expanded to include Gentiles. Peter’s vision in Acts 10 achieved more than overturning dietary regulations: it consummated the ancient promise that through the seed of Abraham, “all nations on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 22:18).

Properly understood, Acts 10 does not contradict Leviticus 11. It completes the story, revealing that ceremonial distinctions served their purpose but ultimately point to a greater truth: salvation by grace for both Jew and Gentile, centered on the risen Messiah.