What does the Bible say about tattoos?
The Bible contains one direct reference to marking the body in Leviticus 19:28, which was addressed to Israel in a specific cultural-religious context. The New Testament does not repeat this prohibition but provides broader principles about the body, stewardship, and Christian conscience that believers apply to the question of tattoos.
Key Verses
8
supporting KJV passages
How to use this page
Read the full explanation, then explore each verse with its context. The FAQs at the bottom answer the most common follow-up questions.
Summary Answer
The Bible contains one direct reference to marking the body in Leviticus 19:28, which was addressed to Israel in a specific cultural-religious context. The New Testament does not repeat this prohibition but provides broader principles about the body, stewardship, and Christian conscience that believers apply to the question of tattoos.
What does the Bible say about tattoos?
The primary biblical text on this question is Leviticus 19:28: "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." For many Christians, this verse settles the question. However, careful biblical interpretation requires understanding the context of this command.
Leviticus 19 is part of the Holiness Code given specifically to the nation of Israel. The prohibition on marks and cuttings was situated alongside other culturally specific laws (not eating meat with blood, not mixing fabrics, not trimming the corners of the beard) that were tied to Israel's need to be distinct from surrounding pagan cultures. Many of these customs, including cutting the body in mourning and tattooing as part of idol worship, were associated with Canaanite and Egyptian pagan practice. The command was designed to maintain Israel's distinct identity as God's holy people.
Most Christian theologians classify this command as part of the ceremonial or civil law of Israel, laws that were fulfilled and set aside in the New Covenant (Acts 15, Galatians 3-4, Hebrews 7-10). Under this reading, the specific prohibition of Leviticus 19:28 does not automatically bind New Testament believers in the same way.
This does not mean anything goes. The New Testament provides guiding principles that Christians apply to the tattoo question. First, the body is "the temple of the Holy Ghost" and belongs to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), calling for thoughtful stewardship of what we do with it. Second, Colossians 3:17 calls believers to do everything "in the name of the Lord Jesus", a tattoo should be something you can do as a Christian in good conscience before God. Third, Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 teach about matters of Christian conscience, for things not explicitly commanded or forbidden, believers are to act from genuine conviction, not external pressure.
For many Christians, tattoos are a matter of personal conscience, neither explicitly commanded nor forbidden in the New Testament. For others, the Leviticus passage, the call to bodily stewardship, and cultural considerations lead them to abstain. Romans 14:23 provides a guiding principle: "whatsoever is not of faith is sin", if you cannot pursue it in faith and good conscience before God, refrain.
Supporting Bible Verses
Key KJV passages that speak directly to what the Bible says about tattoos.
Leviticus 19:28
“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”
Context
The direct Old Testament prohibition, given to Israel to distinguish them from pagan mourning and worship practices involving body marking.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“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.”
Context
The body belongs to God and is His temple, this calls for thoughtful, God-honouring stewardship of every decision about our bodies.
Colossians 3:17
“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.”
Context
The New Testament standard: everything we do should be expressible as done in the name of and to the honour of Jesus Christ.
Romans 14:23
“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Context
The principle of conscience: actions done without genuine faith-based conviction are problematic, regardless of whether the act itself is forbidden.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Context
The governing question for all areas of Christian liberty: can this be done to the glory of God? If yes, it may be pursued; if not, it should be avoided.
Romans 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Context
Paul calls for the body to be presented as a living sacrifice, our physical selves are part of our worship and service to God.
1 Peter 3:3-4
“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.”
Context
Scripture's primary concern regarding physical appearance is that inner character should outweigh outward adornment, what the heart looks like matters more than what the body looks like.
Romans 14:5
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
Context
In matters not explicitly commanded or forbidden, Paul calls for each believer to be fully persuaded in their own conscience, applying this principle to tattoos is a common approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting a tattoo a sin?
This is a matter on which sincere Christians differ. Leviticus 19:28 contains a prohibition in the Old Testament law, though many theologians view it as part of the ceremonial law fulfilled in Christ. The New Testament calls for bodily stewardship (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and acting in faith and conscience (Romans 14:23). Many believers treat tattoos as a matter of personal conscience.
Does the Leviticus prohibition apply to Christians today?
Most Christian scholars view the Leviticus 19:28 prohibition as part of Israel's ceremonial law, tied to specific pagan practices of that culture, rather than a universal moral law repeated in the New Testament. However, the principle of honouring God with our bodies does carry forward.
If I already have a tattoo, am I sinning?
No. Even for those who believe tattoos are inadvisable, having one is not an ongoing sin. God's grace covers past decisions, and the call going forward is to honour Him with your body in the present and future.
Can a Christian with tattoos serve in ministry?
There is no New Testament command that disqualifies a person with tattoos from ministry. Qualifications for church leadership in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 focus on character, not physical appearance. Many faithful, godly ministers have tattoos.
How should a Christian decide about getting a tattoo?
Apply these principles: Can I do this in faith and good conscience before God (Romans 14:23)? Can I do it to His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)? Does it dishonour the body as God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)? Will it cause a weaker believer to stumble (Romans 14:21)? Pray, seek counsel, and act from conviction rather than impulse.