What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
The Bible addresses the issue of tattoos or marking one’s body in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 19:28 (New International Version) states: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.”
This verse is part of a larger passage that outlines various laws and commandments for the Israelites. The prohibition against cutting the body for the dead and getting tattoo marks is often interpreted in the context of avoiding practices associated with pagan rituals and mourning for the deceased.
It’s important to note that interpretations of this verse can vary among different Christian denominations. Some Christians believe that this Old Testament law is no longer binding for believers, as they view it as part of the ceremonial or ritualistic laws specific to the Israelites in that historical and cultural context. Other Christians may still hold that the principle behind the verse, such as avoiding practices associated with idolatry or pagan rituals, is applicable today.
Ultimately, views on tattoos and body markings can differ among Christians, and individuals may seek guidance from their specific religious traditions, denominations, or personal convictions.
In Leviticus, it says, “Do not mark yourself for the dead, or tattoo yourself.” I take this to mean, “Do not mark or tattoo yourself for the dead.” Which would seem to prohibit memorial tattoos, but not other types. Of course, no one actually follows all the rules in Leviticus, such as the prohibition on wearing clothes made of more than one type of cloth. So if you are OK with wearing clothes made from two kinds of cloth, you should also be fine with memorial tattoos.
Where in the Bible does it say that tattoos are prohibited? If I get a tattoo anyway and then ask for forgiveness, is that okay?
Leviticus 19:28 – You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.
This law was given to Israel to separate them from the other nations; cuttings and marks were culturally associated with death and idolatry.
Personally I think it’s not a sin to have a tattoo if it has no idolatrous meaning. Some christians get tattoos fully convinced that it’s not a sin and that they are honoring God that way.
But it is not okay to go against your own conviction. If you believe something is wrong and you still do it, it is not loving to God and it is a sin. If you doubt and still do it, it’s a sin. Read Romans 14 on this.
It’s not okay to wilfully sin, thinking you’ll ask forgiveness later. That way of thinking is dangerous and can even lead to losing your salvation.
Matthew 12:30 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Do everything you do out of love for God. Change your thinking from ‘is this okay, can I get away with this’, to ‘how can I love God’.
Stay as far away from sin as you can (1 Thess. 5:22). Remember sin is the reason Jesus had to die for us; and if we let sin grow it has bad consequences.
So though I personally think tattoos are fine (if the image/text is something God would approve of), don’t do it if you’re not fully convinced.
differences between Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio?
What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Let’s crack open that ancient tome and sift for some ink-stained answers.
The Bible doesn’t mention modern-day tattoos explicitly. But, if we’re thumbing through the scriptures for guidance, you’ll spot Leviticus 19:28, which is often pointed to in discussions on this topic. The verse typically reads, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”
Now, context is key. Leviticus is in the Old Testament and mostly contains a swath of rules for the Israelites. These guidelines were levied to set them apart from the neighboring tribes and nations that performed ritualistic scarring or marking for the dead, among other practices.
So, was the Bible railing against all forms of body art as we know them today? It’s not likely–the intent was probably more to distance God’s people from other religious practices.
If you’re digging for something from the New Testament, the field gets a bit barren. The focus shifts to the spirit rather than the letter of the law. Most prominently, you might consider 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, which admonishes believers to treat their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. That could be interpreted as a call for respect and care for one’s body, which could extend to the topic of tattoos depending on interpretation.
Jump to our times in Portland, OR – tattoos are a stitch in the fabric of the culture here. They’re often personal works of art, commemorations of important life events, or expressions of personal narratives. It’s far removed from the ancient contexts in Leviticus.
In the end, whether someone considers getting a tattoo is really more of a personal conscience issue in the vein of modern Christian thought. The conviction often lies in the what and the why behind the ink, not just the fact that there’s ink at all.
So, if you’re contemplating whether to get inked or not, it might boil down to your personal beliefs, your motivation behind the tattoo, and the context in which you frame this decision, rather than a black-and-white directive from biblical times. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What I am about to share is what I believe. But I ask that you don’t take my word for it, but that you take it to God and ask him.
I believe everything in scripture has a deeper meaning behind it. We are told in 2 Corinthians 3:6 that it’s the spirit of the story that gives life and not the letter. It’s the spirit of the story that sets us free. When Jesus would speak to the people he only spoke in parables and no one understood him, not even his own disciples. But after everyone would leave they would humble themselves and ask him. He would then reveal the truth to them. He told them:
Mark 4:11 (KJV) And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
What is a parable? A parable is defined as “a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson” (Oxford). When Jesus would heal the people it was symbolic of him healing us. He would heal the blind because it was symbolic of him opening our eyes to the truth. Because It’s the spirit of the story that gives life and not the letter. Not the face value of the text. The meaning behind the written word (the moral lesson) is what sets us free.
When the Samaritan women approached Jesus at the well he told her:
John 4:22-24 (KJV) Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Romans 8:1 (KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Because it’s the spirit of the story that gives life. Now let’s look at the commandment about tattoos.
Leviticus 19:28 (KJV) Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Now what I am about to share I ask that you don’t take my word for it. Pray on it and take it to God. If I am wrong I don’t want to unintentionally mislead you. God is our teacher and if we ask him he reveals the truth to us.
What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
To understand the scripture above we have to understand what the word flesh means. The word flesh in Hebrew is בּשׂר and it’s pronounced baw-sawr’. The word flesh is defined by the ancient Hebrew Lexicon as :“The skin and muscle or the whole of the person” (H1320). The whole of the person?
John 6:53-54 (KJV) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
The flesh is the whole of a person, in other words the understanding (beliefs or teaching) of the person. Jesus was saying unless we eat of his teaching (flesh) and believe it in our hearts (drink of his blood).
Leviticus 19:28 (KJV) Ye not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Genesis 2:16-17 (KJV) And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
To be dead in scripture I believe has a deeper meaning behind it. Jesus told his disciples “let the dead bury their own dead” (Matt 8:22). How can the dead bury their own if they are dead? Because to be dead I believe means not to be awoken to the truth. On the day that we believe (eat of) the lies, we no longer recognize the truth (thou shalt surely die).
Leviticus 19:28 (KJV) Ye not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD
What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
The word marks in Hebrew is קעקע and it’s pronounced kah-ak-ah’. The word marks is defined by the Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon as: “Incision, imprintment, tattoo, mark” (H7085). Which I interpret as a permanent Mark.
When the children of Israel where in Egypt they were in bondage and slaves, but God brought them out and freed them and brought them to the knowledge of the truth. This is all symbolic of us. When were are part of the lies of the world we are in bondage and slaves to the lies. But when we humble ourselves, repent, and give our hearts to Christ, he sets us free and brings us to the knowledge of the truth.
Matthew 9:17 (NKJV) Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.
When we are still in the lies, we are like old wine bottles with old skins, but when we turn to Christ we are like new wine bottles with new skins. Those skins are symbolic of our covering, our understanding, our beliefs, our flesh.
Leviticus 19:28 (KJV) Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD
He commands us not to make cuts in our new found knowledge of the truth (our new flesh) with the lies of the world (for the dead). He also tells us not to add permanent marks of things that are not true to what he has given us. in other words do not add lies permanently to your new understanding. Which is the same as when he tells us not to add or take away from his word.
Deuteronomy 4:2 (KJV) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Remember it’s the spirit of the story that gives life, and not the letter (2 Cor 3:6).
Don’t take my word for it. Take it to God, pray on it and ask him. Because when we do he reveals the truth to us. God is our teacher. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What does the Bible say about tattoos? Are Bible verses on your wrist considered tattoos?
Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.”
You are defacing God’s image. You are the temple of God. Would you go and graffiti a holy temple? As Christians, we are called out of the world. We are called out of the world to be salt and light in the world. Why would we want to jeopardize or put anything in the way that may spoil our Christian distinctiveness, our Christian witness.
A key teaching that is forgotten by the majority of professing Christians unfortunately today is the biblical teaching of separation. Many professing Christians do not want to yield to Christ as Lord and put to death their old self and fleshly desires. We as Christians are to never adopt the culture of this world. We are called to be separate, to be Holy. How can you demonstrate Christian distinctiveness when you look exactly like the world you are supposed to be calling out from the world.
1 John 2:15: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Leviticus 19–20: ‘Be Holy for I Am Holy’
Romans 12:1–2 “I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, and not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”.
It’s so clear both explicitly and principally, yet so many Christians don’t want to accept it, but follow their fleshly and carnal desires. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Will God forgive me for getting a religious tattoo (cross, Bible verse, etc.)?
Firstly, God Himself has said, the Bible is a mystery. And no one can understand the will of the Father except the Father Himself(Matt 24:36).
Secondly, thinking about what most people quote from Leviticus 19. Read that again. It mentions, “FOR THE DEAD”. This means that it was a ritual back then to have tattoos FOR THE DEAD.
Now, talking about this, the Bible talks in context and is not in literal terms. The Bible talks about cutting off your Eye if it makes you sin, do you think it literally talks about sacking off your eye??? Is Jesus so cruel?
Also people are quoting from the Old Testament. But now we’re living in the Jesus era(New Testament). The Old Testament said to rest on the Sabbath(Else it will be considered a Sin). Paul in the New Testament(Thessalonian) talks about toiling and laboring day and night and at all times.
So we can’t really use or misuse the Old Testament scriptures to deprive someone in this generation.
I’m not saying Tattooing is Right or Wrong. Go with your conviction, I would suggest you to pray about it and do what convicts you. Don’t live on the perspective of others.
But at the end, Make sure you make the right choice. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What does Leviticus 19:28 mean? Is it “don’t cut or tattoo your body at all” or “do it for the dead”?
These are two different commands, given at a time when God was separating out a group of people in which to use to bring salvation to the earth. These are part of the laws of Moses.
1. Don’t make cuttings on yourself for the dead.
2. Don’t tattoo yourself.
These two commands presented a ritual and physical distinction between the chosen group and the rest of the world.
These commands were important but they were not part of the 10 moral laws God not only wrote in stone but writes within each individual in the form of conscience.
You shall have no other god besides me.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. You shall not commit murder. You shall not give false testimony. (among six others). These above commands are written in stone. All other commandments are literally not written stone.
We will not be judged on judgement day by any other laws other than the ones written in stone. Breaking even one of those laws is sin against God’s perfection. The wages of that sin is death. We break God’s law, we get paid in death.
Bad news: Everyone old enough to know right from wrong has broken God’s law. Everyone is under a death sentence.
Good news: God came to earth in the form of man (within the lineage of the separated group) to die to pay the wages of sin for us, providing salvation. We broke the law, Jesus showed His Mercy and paid the price for us. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What does all that have to do with tattoos or cutting ones self to mourn the dead?
Just this, the New Covenent tells us we are no longer under the law of Moses, designed to separate a people from the rest of the world, looking forward to the coming Savior. But the New Covenent brings about different sort of separation from the world, looking to the Savior who came.
Those in Christ are supposed to be separated from the world. Period. We are to put away sinning, we are to be Christ like.
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” John 15:19
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12:1-2
” You adultererous people, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.” James 4:4
Is tattooing a sin against God’s moral law written on our conscience? No.
Is tattooing a part of the love of being conformed to the world? Probably
Will tattoos keep one out of Heaven? No. What keeps one out of heaven is declining the “get out of hell free card.”
One of the most common forms of self will is choosing to permanently alter the body. Self will is something to keep in check if one is serious about being a living sacrifice and not being like the world, which is an enemy of God. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Can Christians get tattoos?
For me, personally, I don’t believe it’s wrong or sinful for a Christian to get tattoos. This comes down to a personal choice. Many of my fellow Christians will reference the Old Testament book of Leviticus, chapter 19 verse 28, which says, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.”
This was part of Old Testament law and was a requirement for the ancient Israeli people who were God’s covenant people. I am certain there are many modern orthodox Jewish people who still hold to this today.
Christians are not bound to Old Testament law, but rather are under God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean we dismiss the old testament or ignore it, but instead we see in it God’s holy standards for His people and we seek to wisely interpret and apply it’s truths to our lives as Christians. There is much old testament truth we can apply such as loving God, loving our neighbor as ourselves, refraining from lying, stealing, killing, and worshipping idols.
I don’t expect modern day Christians to rigidly interpret Leviticus 19:28 any more than I would we take literally other old testament passages that deal with stoning to death a rebellious child or executing blasphemers, witches, wizards, and adulterers. Clearly, such passages are by no means meant to be taken literally today. Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
God is more concerned about what is in your heart than your tattoos.
Having said all that, it is a matter of personal choice whether or not Christians get tattoos. Bear in mind a tattoo is permanent. Should you one day decide you don’t want it, having it removed is tedious and expensive.
Tattoos make statements about ourselves to the world. Be sure it’s a statement you wish to permanently display. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What do the Holy Bible and the Holy Quran say about tattoos?
Peace to you dear reader. The Qur’an does not mention tattoos or tattooing at all. But it is important to see what the religious authorities have said about tattoos. Some have criticised tattoos stating that they are changing the body that Allah gave you, prevent one from performing wudu or ghusl correctly, or are disrespectful and the actions of non-Muslims. Here is what the scholars said:
Regarding PERMISSIBILITY:
- Ayatollah Khamenei, in Practical Laws of Islam, ruling 1220 answered a question about the permissibility of tattoos and said: “Tattooing is not haram.”
- Ayatollah Sistani answers a question about a woman tattooing her eyebrows and states that “tattooing them is permissible.”
Regarding the issue of WUDU and GHUSL:
- Ayatollah Khamenei, in Practical Laws of Islam, ruling 143 answers a question about tattoos in regards to wudu. He said: “If the tattoos are merely color or it is under the skin and there is nothing on the skin to prevent water from reaching it, then the wudu and ghusl are valid.” He continued in ruling 1220: “The mark it [tattoos] leaves under the skin does not form a barrier to water reaching the skin. Thus, ghusl and wudu, with a tattoo on any part of the body, are valid.”
- Ayatollah Sistani has a different ruling regarding tattoos and wudu or ghusl. He states that “if a verse of the Holy Quran or Name of the Almighty Allah is written or tattooed on the body of a person then such a person while doing wudu or ghusl, will be required to pour water on that part without touching the writing.” That being said, if the tattoos are considered to be disrespectful towards Islam or the Ahl al-Bayt (a) then they would definitely be prohibited. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Is it good to get a tattoo because of how the Bible states?
Though it is stated clearly in Leviticus 19:28 one should not tattoo themselves there are those who would respond with that’s the Old Testament, I’m under the New Covenant, or no one follows ALL the Old Testament laws, I would ask you to look deep within and ask yourself why do you want to tattoo yourself.
I remember before I became a Cristian I wanted to put a tattoo on my arm, my reason was I was working out and I thought it would look nice. But that was my superficial reason. I wanted other people to look at me and think it was nice. I wanted to be noticed and hence be puffed up. If most people are honest with themselves tattoos are not for the person themselves but for others. Most of the tattoos cannot be readily seen by the person with the tattoos.
Some would say well I’m going to put Psalm 23 on my skin to witness for Jesus. But you may ask yourself, would Jesus prefer you to live the Scriptures to witness or just be a billboard? Over and over throughout the Scriptures Jesus ask us to not talk the talk but walk the walk. Live for Him and spread His love to all those you encounter and I believe you will be more fulfilled than placing tattoos on the perfect body that he created for you.
I thank God I never went through with placing that tattoo on my body. Pray about your decision and ask God to lead you. Hope this helps. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What does the Bible say about tattoos on the chest?
Leviticus 19:28, which says,”You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.”
This was part of the law given to the Israelites. One of the reasons the law was given them was to distinguish them as separate from the nations around them, and to identify them as belonging to Jehovah, their God. They weren’t to copy the pagan nation’s religious practices and even their customs. Tattooing was common amongst the other peoples in the land of Canaan.
That system of worship, with its over six hundred specific requirements is no longer demanded of Christians. It ended when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 ce. However, as 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”.
We have much that we can discern from the entire Bible in the way of principles that we can apply. The same principle of being separate from the world, in our beliefs and customs applies to those who want to please God today. Jesus said in his prayer at John 17:16 that his followers would be “no part of the world”. Separate and distinct as God’s people have always been. Religiously especially, but also with popular customs. We don’t follow after the crowd, just because something is popular.
In addition, in principle again, there is nothing wrong aesthetically with the way we were created. We don’t need to add to it! What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Does the Bible say Christians can not get tattoos?
This is an interesting question that points out the schism created by legalism and grace. How you answer probably depends on whether your interpretation of Scripture is grounded in grace or legalism. If a person cites Leviticus, they are a legalist. They look to the Old Testament for a code of conduct, a set of rules.
They then often seek to apply those rules to others, but I digress. If they realize that, as Christians, we are in a relationship of grace, that there are no New Testament prohibitions like those found in the Old, then they will join me in saying, “Nice tats!” What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Does the Bible mention anything against tattoos?
Hello! Let me preface this with this statement: I am a Christian and a seminarian training for the pastorate and I have tattoos. And so here is my thoughts:
You will, no doubt, here people quote Leviticus amongst other references to tattoos. Such references are not inherently wrong, but for Christians we need to read those references in light of Christ. The Old Testament laws – which cover a wide range of human activities. But, in the words of Paul, “now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code” (Rom 7:6). Said another way, under the new covenant of Jesus’ blood we serve and encounter God through the leading of the Holy Spirit, not through captivity to the law.
In this sense, laws against tattooing are quite similar to how most Christians view Old Testament laws relating to, say, diet and circumcision.
Thus, as it relates to our bodily decisions, I think we do well to heed the words of 1 Corinthians 23–23: “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” So, the question then becomes not “is there a law against tattoos?” as much as it is, “do my decisions relating to tattoos glorify God and neighbor, or do they simply inflate my own ego and image?”
This is a question that the individual themselves must answer through the guidance of the Spirit. However, I think it is fair to say that not all tattoos are created equal. Some bring more beatify into the world through art or messaging while some divide, hurt, and inflate the ego. Some are designed to self-promote, while others are designed to help the wearer be reminded of something important.
So, if you are discerning getting a tattoo my encouragement would be simply to consider why you want one. Is it to self-promote? Is it to look cool or fit in? Is it to make a statement about yourself or to make yourself feel more exclusive than others? If those are the reasons, then you are probably not using your decision to glorify God. But if your hope is to use your tattoo help your walk with God, share Truth, or bring beauty into the world then I would say that in your heart you are on the right track… What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Does the Bible say anything about tattoos, body piercing, and other forms of self-expression/art?
You could answer this from different angles and you would mostly get the answer: “that’s not a good Idea”.
Look at your Body as the Temple of the Holy Spirit, which is one person of our triune God. Let’s look as an example on this passage from Ephesians 3:16ff
(CJB 2016) 16 Don’t you know that you people are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 17 So if anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s Temple is holy, and you yourselves are that temple.
By damaging your Body in which way whatsoever makes you damaging God’s Temple. Does this apply to everything? Like piercings for Earrings? To be honest I don’t no for certain but I think that we always should ask God first before we go though with everything. But I’ll give you another verse:
1.John 2:15ff
(CJB 2016) 15 Do not love the world or the things of the world. If someone loves the world, then love for the Father is not in him; 16 because all the things of the world — the desires of the old nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life — are not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God’s will remains forever.
As Christian’s we have died to the World and we also should no longer follow the tren the world lays out before us Humans. I see that Tattoos and piercings become fashionable, “en vogue” if you so will. So there comes your second “No”.
I ask you a question now:
Whom will you impress with Tatoos/piercings? God will certainly not smile when you follows the whim of fashion. It is the same with how we dress, The Bible calls us to Modesty, a Tatoo or piercing is not modest, it cries “HEY LOOOK AT ME, I DARED MYSELF TO BE PUNCtURED AND HaD PAIN AND IN THIRTY YEARS THE THREE MAST SCHOONER WILB BE SUNK AND JUST A WREk”
So see that yo pray about it, and instead of looking on quora you might ask one of the Bibleapps and search for yourself the bible. Look for words like “clothing” Modesty” “Temple of the Holy Spirit” and so on. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Does the Bible say Christians can not get tattoos?
No it doesn’t. But there are somethings you being a Christian ought to consider before getting a tattoo.
- Tattoos were forbidden in the old testament. Leviticus 19:28 Says You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print any marks upon you I am the Lord. This law was given by God to the people of Israel and many people who still try to keep the law and honor it’s regulations will condemn anyone who goes against this commandment, so getting a tattoo may impact your witnessing Christ to these people negatively. They might see that sweet looking cross tattoo on your shoulder and not want to listen to a word you say, and it would be a shame if you limited your effectiveness at being a witness for the sake of looking cool or whatever else.
- Jesus Christ didn’t have tattoos. Jesus Christ, having perfectly satisfied the requirements of the old testament law, could not have had a tattoo, and getting whipped with a cat o’ nine tails doesn’t count (Please never use that as an excuse, I’m begging you). There are some judgemental Christian circles out there (God have mercy on them) that will throw this at you and make you feel like a sinner, so please for the sake of unity, and your ability to effectively edify the church, think about this before you get a tattoo.
- Many parents in the Church have rebellious children who want to get tattoos against their parents wishes. You don’t want to be the reason why some kid in the Church who is only there because their parents made them come, is emboldened to get a tattoo against their parent’s wishes. Those kids parents are your brothers in Christ who are trying to raise their children according to their faith in Christ. You don’t want to cause anyone else to sin and frustrate the efforts of parents. Think about that.
- It hurts. Now I know I’m sounding like every other parent out there when I talk about the pain of getting tattoos and the possibility of infection, but yeah that’s going to happen. Remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that you don’t belong to yourself. Think about that before you purposely put yourself through physical pain for whatever reason why you want a tattoo.
Now in light of these things I’ve mentioned, the Bible says walk circumpectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, for the days are evil. Think about how the way you decide to use your freedom in Christ will affect your future opportunities to be the best witness you can be for Jesus.
All things are lawful but not all things are helpful and not all things edify. Make sure that whatever decisions you make that you are in control of them and they are not in control of you. God bless you brother and thank you for your question. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
What do the Holy Bible and the Holy Quran say about tattoos?
The only time marks on your body are mentioned in the scripture is this verse which is the basis that some use to address 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.”
If this passage is read in context, as all scripture should be, you will see the meaning behind it. The ancient pagans would cut and mark themselves in honor of the dead, we still see this today. Read in context God CLEARLY states, “for the dead” this was to address pagan practices that had found their way into early Israelite traditions. You have to remember that the Israelites were coming out of Egypt where these things were common practice. My skin is covered in tattoos. Most, nearly all are scripture or Biblical in nature, including the Trinity. My tattoos are not “for the dead” my God is very much ALIVE, He is risen!
My tattoos are acceptable, they are not “for the dead” they were not part of pagan practice, they are strategically placed to initiate conversation about God. When someone asks about my tattoos it provides an open invitation for evangelism. I think God approves. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Is the Bible against tattoos?
Outward adornment” is not as important as the development of the “inner self” and should not be the focus of a Christian. A person who desires a tattoo to garner attention or draw admiration has a vain, sinful focus on self.
◦ God sees the heart, and our motivation for anything we do should be to glorify God. Motivations for getting a tattoo such as “to fit in,” “to stand out,” etc., fall short of the glory of God. The tattoo itself may not be a sin, but the motivation in getting it might be.
◦ Our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. The believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How much modification of that temple is appropriate? Is there a line that should not be crossed? Is there a point at which the proliferation of tattoos on one body ceases to be art and starts becoming sinful mutilation? This should be a matter of individual reflection and honest prayer.
◦ We are delivering God’s message to the world. What message does the tattoo send, and will it aid or detract from representing Christ and sharing the gospel?
◦ Whatever does not come from faith is sin, so the person getting the tattoo should be fully convinced that it is God’s will for him or her.
For myself i will not get a tattoo! What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Why is it wrong to put tattoos on your body if you believe in god?
Because your body is a temple , and God made it perfect .. ( unless you are a jew , muslim , gay , atheist , chinese , planned parenthood worker , or use naughty words . )
The christian ban is cuz it insults God’s perfect work in creating humans . ( though oddly going to doctors is ok if you ended up with needed surgery to remove extra toes or a bad heart . Just don’t insult God’s perfect work on making you by getting a tattoo . ) What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Does the Bible mention anything against tattoos?
A prohibition against tattos is found in the book of Leviticus 19:28, as other answerers have shared. Were tattoos being banned just for the sake of prohibiting permantly putting a mark on the skin? No. It was in context of rejecting anything connected to the idolatry of the nations that were in that region. ‘Don’t put a permanent mark on your body for the dead.’
That said, the Bible doesn’t mention anything against smoking, for example, but common sense should tell us that if anything is harmful to the body, then we shouldn’t engage in it. We know that smoking poses health risks, but what about tattoos? They seem innocent enough.
Actually, they can put an invidual at risk for many serious and life-threatening health conditions. There is a lot of information available on the subject, but the following article is the most compelling that I have seen. The Crazy Side Effect Of Getting Tattoos That No One Knows About
If you are looking for a reason to support getting a tattoo, I think there isn’t enough information directly in the Bible either to condemn the practice or condone it. Common sense then becomes the deciding factor when pondering getting a cosmetic change that will permanently affect the body. The health and protection of one’s body would take precedence.
Post note: in my opinion, for purely esthetic reasons, human skin is beautiful as is and needs no other enhancement. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Will God forgive me for getting a religious tattoo (cross, Bible verse, etc.)?
This is just my belief, but I believe that God doesn’t think it wrong to get a tattoo. In Leviticus 19:28, it says explicitly, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” However, he is talking specifically to the people of Isreal at that specific point in time. Here are some more things Leviticus 19 says:
“Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”
“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.”
“Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.”
“Observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary.”
When God said to not cut the flesh, he was talking exclusively to his People of Isreal. This in no way applies to us, and Christians should have no reason to still follow commands that were never directed not intended for humanity as a whole.
So no, God would not forgive you for getting a religious tattoo, because he wouldn’t consider it a sin to begin with. What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?
Conclusion
A better question that would be better to ask is “why would someone choose which rules to follow and which to ignore, from a religion they do not follow?” If we are going to impose rules from Judaism found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy on things such as tattoos we will also need to be careful about mixing linen and leather, planting a field with different crops.
following the rituals invovling cleanliness and sacrifices of live animals, forget about cheesburgers, shrimp and lobster. You must even be careful of what cheeses to eat. If the cheese has been made with rennet, from the stomach of animals, then it can not be mixed with dairy (milk) to make cheese. The point is, how do you choose which of the rules of Judaism to follow and which to not?
If one believes those rules were in fact, mandated by God, then it is blasphemy for a human to decide some no longer apply. Or one could just follow Jesus, since He was Divine, He has the authority to change the rules. And He was silent on tattoos and piercings.
What does the Bible say about tattoos and marking your body?