Leviticus 19:28 directly forbids tattoos. Christians interpret this differently — most see it as a ceremonial law tied to pagan mourning rituals, not binding moral law. The New Testament does not address tattoos. Both Christians who get tattoos and Christians who avoid them can hold their position in good faith (Romans 14).
The Bible has one direct passage on 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.' The Hebrew phrase ketovet qaaqa clearly refers to permanent skin marking. The interpretive question is whether this prohibition applies to Christians today. The context: Leviticus 19:28 sits within a passage (verses 26-31) that prohibits practices associated with pagan mourning rituals and divination — cutting hair at the temples, ritual self-cutting, tattooing, prostitution, mediums, necromancy. Archaeology confirms ancient Canaanites tattooed their bodies as part of cultic practices. Three Christian interpretations exist. (1) The prohibition still applies. Some conservative Christians argue Leviticus 19:28 addresses tattoos directly. (2) Ceremonial law no longer binding. Most evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist Christians argue this is ceremonial law tied to pagan practice — like the same chapter's prohibitions on mixed fabrics, which most Christians don't apply today. (3) Matter of personal conscience. Many hold Christians of equal faith disagree, and Romans 14 establishes each should follow conscience. The New Testament does not address tattoos. A Bible verse tattoo presents a particular case — the Leviticus prohibition was tied to pagan religious practice; a Christian Scripture tattoo is devotion to the true God. Practical wisdom: examine motive; consider permanence; choose content wisely; think about workplace and family impact; pray; do not judge others differently. For more detail, see /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.”
“Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink... which are a shadow of things to come.”
“And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
“Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you... glorify God in your body.”
If considering a tattoo: examine motive; consider permanence; choose content that honors God; pray. If you already have tattoos: God's grace covers the past. If you choose to abstain: do not judge those who don't. Romans 14.
Leviticus 19:28 directly forbids tattoos. Christians interpret this differently. Most Christian theology reads it as a ceremonial law tied to ancient pagan mourning rituals. A minority view holds the prohibition still binds. The New Testament does not address tattoos. Romans 14 applies: Christians of equal sincerity can hold either position in good faith.
Leviticus 19:28 directly prohibits both ritual self-cutting and tattoos. The context (verses 26-31) is about practices associated with pagan mourning rituals and divination. Canaanites tattooed themselves for pagan gods. Most Christian theology reads this as a ceremonial prohibition tied to specific pagan practice. See /leviticus-19-28 for full discussion.
Christian traditions differ. Many Christians do get Bible verse tattoos, arguing Leviticus 19:28 was about pagan religious practice; a Bible verse tattoo is the opposite. Other Christians believe the prohibition still applies. Both positions can be held in good conscience. See our /tattoo vertical for Bible verse tattoo guidance.
Almost certainly not during his earthly ministry — tattooing was associated with pagan practice and would have been unthinkable for a faithful Jewish rabbi. Revelation 19:16 describes Christ at his return with 'a name written on his thigh.' Some interpreters read this as a divine 'tattoo'; others as a robe inscription. What is certain: Jesus's earthly body was not marked with tattoos by ancient custom.