Overview
The Bible addresses feasts across 30 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and Daniel. Closely related themes include Covetousness, Parables, Worldliness and Jesus, The Christ. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus.
Key Bible verses about feasts
Old Testament
Genesis
And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; We saw: Heb. Seeing we saw
That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the LORD. That: Heb. If thou shalt
And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
Daniel
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. father: or, grandfather taken: Cald. brought forth
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
New Testament
Matthew
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are chosen.
Luke
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
People in the Bible and feasts
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying feasts for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 26:28, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, Luke and Daniel each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Covetousness, Parables, Worldliness and Jesus, The Christ.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about feasts?
The Bible addresses feasts across 30 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Luke and Daniel. Closely related themes include Covetousness, Parables, Worldliness and Jesus, The Christ. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about feasts?
The Bible references feasts in 30 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention feasts?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 26:28: “And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; We saw: Heb. Seeing we saw”
Which people in the Bible are associated with feasts?
Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus.
Preach & teach
Outline a sermon or build a study series on feasts.
Preach a series on Feasts →