What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos

Are tattoos a sin?

This is a question many Christians have asked, particularly because the Bible contains a verse in Leviticus that specifically mentions making marks on the body.

Some Christians believe the Bible clearly forbids tattoos. Others believe the passage in Leviticus was addressing specific pagan practices of ancient Israel and does not prohibit every modern tattoo.

So what does the Bible actually say?

The answer requires more than simply quoting one verse. We need to consider the context of Leviticus 19:28, the purpose of the Old Testament law, what the New Testament teaches about the Christian’s relationship to the law, and the biblical principles of holiness, wisdom, motives and honouring God.

Quick Answer: Does the Bible Say Tattoos Are a Sin?

The Bible does mention making marks on the body in Leviticus 19:28, but Christians disagree about whether this command directly prohibits all modern tattoos.

The passage says:

Leviticus 19:28 — Do Not Make Marks for the Dead

“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”

This command was given to Israel under the Old Covenant.

The immediate context includes practices associated with mourning for the dead and the religious customs of surrounding peoples. Therefore, Christians should be careful about taking the verse out of its historical and covenant context and simply equating the ancient practice with every modern tattoo.

At the same time, this does not mean that the Bible has nothing to say about the decision.

A Christian should consider why they want a tattoo, what the tattoo represents, whether it honours God, and whether the decision is consistent with biblical wisdom and holiness.

The Bible also makes clear that a person’s salvation does not depend upon their outward appearance.

Ephesians 2:8–9 — Salvation Is by Grace Through Faith

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Having a tattoo does not make someone beyond the reach of God’s grace.

But the question for a Christian should not simply be, “Can I get away with this?”

A better question is:

“As someone who belongs to Christ, would this decision honour God?”

What Is the Bible Verse About Tattoos?

The primary passage Christians discuss is Leviticus 19:28.

Leviticus 19:28 — Marks on the Body

“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”

This is the only biblical passage that directly uses language about printing marks upon the body in a way commonly connected with the modern tattoo question.

The verse contains two related prohibitions:

“cuttings in your flesh for the dead”

and

“print any marks upon you.”

The first part clearly refers to practices connected with the dead.

The second part is more general in its wording, which is why Christians have historically debated exactly how the command should be understood and applied today.

The surrounding context is extremely important.

What Was Happening in the Context of Leviticus 19?

Leviticus 19 contains a series of commands given to Israel concerning holiness and separation from the practices of the surrounding nations.

Leviticus 19:1–2 — Be Holy Because God Is Holy

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.”

The command about marks on the body appears within this larger call to holiness.

God was teaching Israel how they were to live as His covenant people.

The chapter addresses many different areas of life, including worship, idolatry, treatment of other people, sexual morality, justice, honesty and religious practices.

Therefore, Leviticus 19:28 should not be isolated from the rest of the chapter.

Why Did God Forbid These Practices?

The Bible repeatedly warned Israel against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations.

God did not want Israel to imitate pagan worship.

Deuteronomy 18:9–12 — Do Not Follow Pagan Practices

“When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”

Israel was repeatedly warned not to imitate pagan religious practices.

This is important when considering Leviticus 19:28.

The Bible does not present body markings as an isolated fashion question. The command appears within a broader context of Israel being called to remain distinct from pagan religious practices.

Does Leviticus 19:28 Forbid Every Modern Tattoo?

This is where Christians reach different conclusions.

Some Christians believe that the words “nor print any marks upon you” establish a continuing prohibition against tattoos.

Others believe the command was specifically connected with the religious and mourning practices of the ancient world and therefore should not automatically be applied to every modern tattoo.

The Bible does not specifically discuss the modern practice of getting a tattoo for artistic, personal or commemorative reasons.

Therefore, it is important to distinguish between:

What the verse explicitly says

and

how Christians interpret its application today.

We should not claim that Scripture says more than it actually says.

Are Christians Under the Old Testament Law?

To understand how Leviticus applies to Christians, we also need to understand the New Covenant.

The New Testament teaches that believers in Christ are not under the Mosaic covenant in the same way Israel was.

Romans 6:14 — Not Under the Law

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

This does not mean that Christians can ignore God’s moral will.

It means that Christians are not saved by keeping the Mosaic law, nor are they under the Old Covenant system that governed Israel.

The coming of Christ brought the New Covenant.

Hebrews 8:6 — Christ Is Mediator of a Better Covenant

“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

This is why Christians do not simply take every Old Testament command and apply it to themselves in exactly the same way.

For example, Christians do not offer the animal sacrifices required under the Old Covenant.

We do not follow Israel’s ceremonial dietary system as a means of righteousness.

We do not become righteous before God by keeping the Mosaic law.

Instead, salvation is found in Christ.

Does That Mean the Old Testament Doesn’t Matter?

Absolutely not.

The Old Testament remains God’s Word and reveals His character, His holiness, His dealings with humanity, and the story that leads to Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 — All Scripture Is Profitable

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

The question is not whether the Old Testament matters.

The question is how a particular command applies under the New Covenant.

That requires careful biblical interpretation rather than simply declaring that every Old Testament command applies to Christians in precisely the same form.

What Does the New Testament Say About the Christian’s Body?

One passage frequently discussed in relation to tattoos is 1 Corinthians 6:19–20.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 — Your Body Belongs to God

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

This is an important principle for Christians.

Our bodies ultimately belong to God.

Therefore, a Christian should not make decisions about their body purely according to personal desire.

The question should be:

Does this glorify God?

However, this passage does not specifically say:

“Therefore, Christians must not get tattoos.”

The immediate context of 1 Corinthians 6 is particularly concerned with sexual immorality, not tattoos.

The principle that our bodies belong to God can still inform our decisions, but we should not claim that Paul was specifically addressing tattoos when he wrote this passage.

What Does God Look At?

The Bible repeatedly teaches that God looks deeper than outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7 — God Looks at the Heart

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

This does not mean that outward behaviour is irrelevant.

God cares about how we live.

But He also cares about why we do what we do.

Two people could have identical tattoos while having completely different motives.

One person might have a tattoo connected with a meaningful personal experience.

Another might choose a tattoo out of rebellion, pride, vanity or a desire to provoke others.

The outward mark may look identical.

The condition of the heart is not.

Why Do You Want a Tattoo?

This may be one of the most important questions a Christian can ask.

Before deciding whether to get a tattoo, consider your motives.

Are you doing it because you genuinely like the design?

Is it connected to an important memory?

Are you trying to express something meaningful?

Are you trying to fit in?

Are you seeking attention?

Are you acting impulsively?

Are you trying to rebel against your parents, your past, society or God?

Are you using the tattoo to create an identity for yourself?

Proverbs 16:2 — God Weighs the Motives

“All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.”

We can convince ourselves that our motives are completely innocent.

God sees what is actually happening in our hearts.

That is why prayerful self-examination matters.

Would the Tattoo Honour God?

A Christian should consider not only whether they can justify having a tattoo, but whether the specific tattoo would honour God.

There is an enormous difference between tattoos.

A tattoo containing an occult symbol, sexually explicit imagery, hateful words or something that glorifies sin raises very different questions from a simple design or meaningful Christian symbol.

Philippians 4:8 — Think About What Is Good

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Christians are called to think about what is true, pure, lovely and honourable.

That principle should influence the things we choose to permanently place on our bodies.

Is Getting a Christian Tattoo Wrong?

A Christian tattoo is not automatically sinful simply because it is a tattoo.

However, the fact that something has Christian words or imagery does not automatically make the decision wise either.

A person could get a cross tattoo for genuinely meaningful reasons.

Another person could get the same tattoo because they want people to see them as religious.

Again, the motive matters.

Colossians 3:17 — Do Everything in Jesus’ Name

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

A helpful question is:

Could I honestly do this while giving thanks to God?

If the answer is no, that should make us stop and reconsider.

What If I Already Have Tattoos?

This is especially important.

If you already have tattoos, you do not need to believe that God has rejected you because of them.

A tattoo does not place someone outside the reach of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:1 — No Condemnation in Christ

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

The Gospel is not about having a perfectly clean history.

Every Christian comes to Christ as a sinner in need of grace.

Your past does not have to prevent you from following Jesus.

1 John 1:9 — Confession and Forgiveness

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

If you became a Christian after getting tattoos, you do not need to spend the rest of your life believing that you are permanently disqualified from serving God.

Christ changes people from the inside out.

Should I Remove My Tattoos If I Become a Christian?

The Bible does not command Christians to remove tattoos they already have.

There may be personal circumstances where someone chooses to remove or cover a tattoo because of what it represents.

For example, perhaps a tattoo glorifies a former lifestyle that the person no longer wants to identify with.

That may be a personal decision.

But there is no biblical command saying that every Christian who has a tattoo must undergo tattoo removal.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — A New Creation

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The deepest transformation God wants is not merely a change to the skin.

It is a transformation of the person.

What If My Tattoo Represents My Old Life?

This may require prayer and wisdom.

If a tattoo represents something that directly contradicts your new life in Christ, you may reasonably decide that you no longer want it.

But remember that removing the tattoo is not what makes you clean before God.

Jesus is the One who cleanses us from sin.

Titus 3:5 — Salvation Is Not Through Our Own Righteousness

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Your salvation does not depend on how your skin looks.

Your righteousness comes through Christ.

Are Tattoos a Sinful Form of Self-Expression?

Not necessarily.

The Bible does not condemn every form of artistic expression.

The Bible contains beautiful descriptions of craftsmanship, clothing, architecture, music and artistic work.

The issue is not simply that something is expressive.

The question is what is being expressed and why.

1 Corinthians 10:31 — Do Everything for God’s Glory

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

This is an excellent principle for Christian decision-making.

Ask yourself:

Can I do this for the glory of God?

If the answer is clearly no, that is a serious warning.

What If I Am Unsure Whether God Wants Me to Get a Tattoo?

If you genuinely do not know whether you should get one, you do not need to rush.

There is nothing wrong with waiting.

In fact, waiting may be the wisest decision if you are uncertain.

James 1:5 — Ask God for Wisdom

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Pray.

Study Scripture.

Consider your motives.

Talk with mature Christians you trust.

And give yourself time.

A tattoo is permanent.

There is no biblical reason you need to make the decision immediately.

What If I Feel Guilty About Getting a Tattoo?

It is important to distinguish between biblical conviction and unnecessary condemnation.

If Scripture clearly reveals that something is sinful, we should not ignore that conviction.

But if you are struggling with uncertainty over a matter where faithful Christians disagree, you should not automatically assume that every feeling of guilt means God has forbidden something.

Romans 14:22–23 — Act in Faith

“Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

The broader context of Romans 14 concerns disputable matters among believers.

The principle is important: do not deliberately act against your conscience.

If you cannot make the decision with a clear conscience before God, it may be wiser to wait.

Should Christians Judge Other People Because They Have Tattoos?

Christians should be careful about judging someone’s relationship with God based purely on their appearance.

A tattoo does not tell you someone’s entire story.

It does not tell you whether they love Jesus.

It does not tell you whether they have repented.

It does not tell you whether they are walking faithfully with God.

James 2:1 — Do Not Show Partiality

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”

Christians are called to treat people according to God’s truth rather than making superficial judgments.

This does not mean that Christians can never identify sin.

It means that we should not assume someone’s spiritual condition simply because of how they look.

What About Tattoos That Are Clearly Sinful?

There is an important distinction here.

The question is not simply whether ink in the skin is sinful.

The content and purpose matter.

A tattoo that celebrates occultism, hatred, sexual immorality, violence, idolatry or rebellion against God raises obvious biblical concerns.

1 Corinthians 10:14 — Flee Idolatry

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”

A Christian should not use the freedom they have in Christ as an excuse to embrace something that Scripture clearly condemns.

Christian freedom is never freedom to deliberately pursue sin.

Does the Bible Say Christians Shouldn’t Mark Their Bodies?

The honest answer is:

The Bible contains a prohibition against certain markings in Leviticus 19:28, but Christians differ on whether that command directly prohibits every modern tattoo.

What Scripture does clearly teach is that God’s people are called to holiness.

1 Peter 1:15–16 — Be Holy

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Therefore, the Christian should not approach the tattoo question simply by asking:

“Is there a loophole that allows me to do this?”

Instead, ask:

“Will this help me live in a way that honours Christ?”

What Does the Bible Say About Your Appearance?

The Bible does not teach that appearance is completely irrelevant.

It does, however, repeatedly warn us against making outward appearance the centre of our identity.

1 Peter 3:3–4 — The Importance of the Heart

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

The emphasis is on the “hidden man of the heart.”

God is concerned with who we are becoming internally.

A tattoo cannot make a sinful heart holy.

And the absence of a tattoo cannot make a sinful heart righteous.

So, Should a Christian Get a Tattoo?

There is no single answer that can responsibly be given for every Christian and every tattoo.

If someone believes Leviticus 19:28 prohibits all tattoos and chooses not to get one because of that conviction, they should honour that conviction.

If another Christian understands Leviticus 19:28 as addressing ancient pagan and mourning practices and does not believe it prohibits every modern tattoo, they should still examine their motives and the tattoo itself carefully.

Romans 14:5 — Be Fully Convinced

“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

The surrounding passage deals with disputable matters, not specifically tattoos.

But it demonstrates an important principle for Christian conscience: we should not treat every area of disagreement among sincere believers as though it were equally clear in Scripture.

Where Scripture is clear, we should obey.

Where application requires wisdom, we should seek God sincerely and avoid pride.

Questions to Ask Before Getting a Tattoo

If you are considering getting a tattoo, take some time to honestly consider the following questions.

What Is My Motive?

Am I doing this for the right reasons?

Am I trying to impress people, rebel, gain attention or fit in?

Or is there a thoughtful reason behind the decision?

What Does the Tattoo Represent?

Does the image, wording or symbolism honour God?

Could it communicate something contrary to biblical values?

Can I Thank God for This Decision?

1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 — Test Everything

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

Have I genuinely examined the decision rather than simply following what everyone else is doing?

Am I Acting From Faith?

Romans 14:23 — Whatever Is Not of Faith Is Sin

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

If your conscience is troubled, do not simply silence it because you really want the tattoo.

Take the concern seriously.

The Most Important Question Is Not About Your Skin

The tattoo question can become so consuming that we forget the much bigger biblical issue.

God is far more concerned with the condition of your heart and your relationship with Him than with whether you have ink under your skin.

Proverbs 4:23 — Guard Your Heart

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

A tattoo cannot separate someone from God.

But sin can affect our fellowship with Him.

Therefore, the more important question is not:

“Does God approve of this tattoo?”

It is:

“Am I seeking God with my whole heart?”

What If I Have Tattoos and I Am a Christian?

If you already have tattoos, do not believe that your tattoos make you less worthy of God’s love.

If you belong to Christ, your identity is not ultimately found in your appearance.

Galatians 2:20 — Christ Lives in Me

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Your deepest identity is found in Christ.

Not in your skin.

Not in your past.

Not in your appearance.

Not in other people’s opinions.

Final Thought

So, what does the Bible say about tattoos?

The Bible does contain a direct reference to marking the body in Leviticus 19:28:

Leviticus 19:28 — The Biblical Command

“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.”

Christians disagree about how this command should be applied to modern tattoos.

Some understand it as a continuing prohibition against tattoos. Others understand it within its Old Covenant context, particularly in relation to mourning and pagan religious practices, and therefore do not believe that the verse prohibits every modern tattoo.

What we should not do is pretend the disagreement does not exist.

At the same time, the Bible gives Christians many principles that should guide the decision.

Our bodies belong to God.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 — Glorify God in Your Body

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Our motives matter.

Our choices matter.

Holiness matters.

Wisdom matters.

And our relationship with God matters more than our outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7 — God Looks at the Heart

“For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

If you already have tattoos, do not believe that you are beyond God’s grace.

If you are considering getting one, do not make the decision impulsively.

Pray.

Study Scripture.

Examine your motives.

Consider what the tattoo represents.

Ask whether you can honestly make the decision for the glory of God.

And if you are uncertain, it is okay to wait.

Colossians 3:17 — Do Everything for the Lord

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Ultimately, the Christian life is not about finding the minimum number of rules we can follow.

It is about learning to love God, follow Christ and live in a way that honours Him.

Whatever you decide about tattoos, make sure your desire to follow Jesus is greater than your desire to defend your own choice.

That is where biblical wisdom begins.

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