Dialogue with Trypho
Chapter 57: The Jew Questions - Why is He Said to Have Eaten if He is God? Justin's Response
Then Trypho said when I was silent, “It is clear that Scripture compels us to acknowledge this; however, there is a matter about which we are justifiably puzzled—specifically, regarding what was said about [the Lord] eating what was prepared and placed before him by Abraham; and you would agree with this.”
I responded, "It is written that they ate; and if we believe that it says the three ate, and not just the two alone—who were really angels, and are nourished in the heavens, as is clear to us, even though they are not nourished by food similar to what mortals use—(for, regarding the sustenance of manna that supported your fathers in the desert, Scripture says they ate angels' food): if we believe the three ate, then I would say that the Scripture which states they ate has the same meaning as when we say fire has devoured all things; but it is not necessarily understood that they ate by chewing with teeth and jaws. Therefore, we should not be confused about anything here if we are familiar, even slightly, with figurative expressions, and able to understand them."
And Trypho said, “It is possible that the question about the manner of eating can be explained in this way: the manner in which it is written that they took and ate what Abraham had prepared. Now, please continue to explain to us how this God who appeared to Abraham, and serves God the Maker of all things, being born of the Virgin, became a man with the same passions as all, as you said before.”
Then I replied, "Allow me first, Trypho, to gather some more evidence on this topic, so that you, by the large number of them, may be convinced of its truth, and afterward I shall explain what you ask."
And he said, "Do what seems good to you; for I shall be thoroughly pleased."