What Does the Bible Say about Tattoos? Are They a Sin? 

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Tattoos are a hot topic among Christians, and I’ve often wondered myself where they stand in terms of faith. Some people argue that getting a tattoo is an outright sin, pointing to certain verses in the Bible, while others believe it’s a personal choice that doesn’t affect one’s relationship with God. So, what does the Bible really say about tattoos, and are they considered sinful? In Leviticus 19:28, the Bible states, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." Sounds pretty straightforward, right? But let’s take a closer look at what the Bible really says about tattoos and if that Scripture applies to us today. Let's dig into the scriptures, explore the context of commonly cited verses, and understand what it truly means for those of us who are trying to walk our faith with sincerity.

Biblical References to Tattoos

Ah, tattoos and the Bible—a classic question that gets a lot of us thinking! Let’s take a closer look at what Leviticus actually says and what that might mean for us now.

First off, context is key. Leviticus is part of the Old Testament, specifically the Holiness Code given to the Israelites. This code outlined laws that set them apart from other nations, which often included rituals involving tattoos and markings as part of pagan worship or mourning. So, when Leviticus 19:28 prohibits marking the body, it’s likely addressing those practices that were connected to idolatry and mourning rituals.

Back in ancient Israel, tattoos and body markings weren’t just personal expressions; they were often tied to pagan rituals or rites for the dead. This command was intended to keep the Israelites distinct from these practices, preserving their identity as God’s chosen people.

Now, does that mean tattoos today are sinful? Opinions vary. Some Christians view this verse as a timeless rule against tattoos, while others believe it was specific to Israel’s cultural setting. For instance, Canaanite worship of Baal, a contemporary religion at the time, involved self-mutilation rituals that God wanted His people to avoid. Self-harm and mutilation are clearly unhealthy and contrary to God’s care for His people. So, applying Leviticus 19:28 to modern tattoos without considering this background might be missing the point.

What Does the New Testament Say About Tattoos?

Now that we've learned the reason God commanded the Israelites to not get tattoos, let's see what the Bible says about tattoos in the New Testament.

Should a Christian Get a Tattoo?

The Hebrew word for “imprint” is “qaaqa” which also means “tattoo” or “incision.” In the Near East, tattoos were used to mark slaves. If one wore a brand on his hand or forehead, he or she was quickly identified as someone’s property. 

In addition to slave ownership, tattoos were also used for good luck and protection, particularly among women. In Egypt, for instance, women sometimes tattooed themselves with symbols of deities such as Hathor or Bes, believed to offer fertility, protection, or good fortune. Although the Bible does not explicitly mention Hebrew women engaging in these practices, it is possible that some Israelites adopted them after being influenced by the surrounding cultures.

Lastly, seemingly innocuous marks represent worship. As we saw reading Leviticus 19:28, God forbid the Israelites from putting tattoo marks on their bodies or cutting themselves for the dead, which was a common part of Canaanite mourning rituals.Consider the financial cost, the time commitment, and the pain one endures, not to mention the permanence of a tattoo: this is no minor undertaking. Every time someone selects or designs a tattoo and then spends an hour or more getting “inked,” he or she is connecting strongly to the subject in question and might be enslaved to a sin represented by that image.

Look around, and one might see body art idolizing celebrities, death, or even religion. Many people wear a semicolon tattoo indicating they stand with survivors of suicide and people who suffer from mental health concerns. “No matter the type of brokenness — physical or mental — Christian identity is found not in a diagnosis, but instead in our position as redeemed children of God" (Romans 8:16–17).

Any publicly visible image makes that image and associated ideas famous. It’s important and biblical to support one another, but that support always begins in Christ; we have nothing to give without Him. Even the cross etched permanently into one’s chest can be an idol if one regards and describes it as a protective device, believing the cross is protective rather than Christ, imagining that salvation protects one from disease and muggers rather than protecting one for eternity with Jesus.

A Christian has the opportunity to use a tattoo to declare Christ’s name.  Obtaining a tattoo can spark gospel-centered conversation and act as a missional ice-breaker.

Questions to Ask Before Getting a Tattoo

People sometimes self-injure themselves for the same reasons they get tattoos: the pain is part of how they cope with difficulty or feel a sense of power for a short period of time. Trying to run one’s life without God is like that first rebellion in the Garden, but while “many are the plans in the mind of a man, [...] it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21). He wants us to turn to Him in times of trial and say, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul” (Psalm 94:19).

When one’s body is marked by trials, God uses those scars to point out His Sovereign touch — His ultimate healing. Gifted experts have turned many scars into beautiful works of art, but Christians have to ask themselves whether those tattoos activate a sense of inner strength or remind them of God’s powerful grip on them during times of darkness and pain.

Cutting and even some methods of tattooing are associated with punishment throughout the ages in many cultures, whether self-inflicted or as a means of torture by others. Inflicting pain — physical or emotional — on one’s self or on someone else is an outpouring of hatred and an exercise in control. Is the image or message a reminder of past guilt, a way of inflicting emotional distress every time one sees it?

Paul writes, “let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Is obtaining a tattoo about self-punishment? Is the purpose to take control of one’s punishment and salvation? In either case, getting a tattoo is an act of unbelief.

Tattoos borne out of self-hatred are legacies of darkness rather than light. The Father wants His children to bear fruit, and a fruitful life is repentant. A fruitful heart looks to Him rather than reliving one’s sorrow, guilt, and shame over and over in the form of a visual reminder and a worldly identifier. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Self-harm says “Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. I am responsible for my own salvation.”

A popular reason to get a tattoo is in order to honor a loved one who has died. God directed His people to disassociate themselves from Canaanite traditions such as slashing their bodies as a way to “mourn their dead.” What about designing beautiful markings in honor of loved ones who have passed on?

In Luke 9:60, Jesus said to “leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Paul wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Christians grieve for their dead, but they do not worship them. 

Not only do they have hope of reuniting with lost loved ones who believed in Christ for salvation, but they have been commanded to have no other Gods; to worship no idols. Talking to a loved one, keeping a shrine to the deceased, making a shrine of one’s body by way of a tattoo: this is idolatry. 

David was criticized for breaking his fast after his baby son died, but David replied, “Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?” (2 Samuel 12:23).

“The Scriptures never ask Christians to deny the feeling of grief — it is a right and holy sadness.” Yet, some people think too much about those who are gone; they look backward and fail to move forward. If a Christian is considering getting a tattoo as a way of honoring one who has died, of glorifying that person posthumously and identifying with grief more than with Christ, he or she might want to think twice. If the mark is a reminder and testimony of the resurrection and security believers have in Jesus our Redeemer, that’s different.

A good tattoo is a work of art, no different from a beautiful painting. Like an image hung on one’s living room wall, body art sends a message about personal values. Is Christ number one? “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

God does not expect His children to be branded as slaves, but there is no express warning against obtaining a tattoo that identifies one as a lover of Christ. There is nothing wrong with being an art lover. Seek out the direction of the Holy Spirit in prayer, by reading the Word, and by asking wise friends. Once that mark has been made it cannot be removed easily.

What Does All This Mean?

In conclusion, the topic of tattoos and their place within Christian life is complex and multifaceted. While Leviticus 19:28 offers a clear command within its historical and cultural context, the New Testament does not explicitly say getting a tattoo is a sin, leaving room for personal interpretation and conviction. The central theme throughout the New Testament is to honor God with our bodies and ensure that our actions reflect our faith and values.

For those whose bodies already bear the marks of a pre-Christian past, take comfort: they are still part of personal testimony. In conversation with others who sport tattoos, they provide a natural avenue to discussing the gospel and demonstrating that the important change has taken place inwardly, where Christ has exquisitely and tenderly marked the inner person.

In 1 Corinthians 8, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols, a contentious topic among early Christians. Paul explains that while some believers understand that "an idol is nothing at all in the world" (1 Corinthians 8:4) and thus feel free to eat such food, others, whose consciences are weaker, may see this as wrong. He emphasizes the importance of being mindful of one another's consciences and not causing another believer to stumble by exercising one's freedom. Applying this to the topic of tattoos, we see that while we may understand our freedom in Christ to get tattoos, we should act in love, considering the impact on others. Paul acknowledges that "we all possess knowledge," but he warns that "knowledge puffs up while love builds up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). Therefore, while getting a tattoo does not make us more or less acceptable to God, it is essential to consider how our actions might affect fellow believers who may view tattoos differently. Paul highlights the importance of respecting others’ consciences, advising against doing anything that might cause another believer to fall into sin. In the context of tattoos, if our decision to get a tattoo could lead another believer to violate their conscience or struggle in their faith, we should reconsider our actions.

Each person must honor God with their own conscience and act in love and respect toward others, ensuring that their freedoms do not cause another believer to stumble. While getting a tattoo is not inherently a sin, it falls into a "gray area" of Christian freedom. Let love guide your decisions, prioritize building up and encouraging fellow believers, and strive for unity and understanding within the Christian community.

Lastly, if a person chooses to get a tattoo, they should be convinced that God has led them to do so, because Romans 14:23 reminds us that “whatever is not done from faith is sin.”

What's most important is the intention behind the tattoo and how it aligns with one's faith journey. Whether you choose to get inked or not, let your choices reflect your commitment to honoring God in all aspects of your life. Remember, it’s not about the external marks on our skin, but the internal marks of grace, love, and faith that define our relationship with God. So, whether inked or uninked, let your life be a canvas that glorifies Him.

For more information, read 7 Questions You Should Ask Before Getting a Tattoo.

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Candice Lucey is a freelance writer from British Columbia, Canada, where she lives with her family. Find out more about her here.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.