The Diet of John the Baptizer

John the Baptist Bread

The diet of John the Baptizer might not have been as peculiar as it sounds, "locusts and wild honey" (Matthew 3:4).  In fact, we hear of this food in at least one other place in the Bible, Luke 15:16, as "the pods that the pigs were eating" and desired by the Prodigal Son.

The pod is from the carob tree, and its pulp is sweet and edible by both animals and humans  In fact, it is very healthy.  We know of it today as primarily a chocolate substitute.  Still today across this land, it is known as "John the Baptist bread."