Tattoos are mentioned explicitly in Leviticus 19:28, within the Law of Moses; in context, this verse appears among instructions concerning pagan mourning practices and divination. Christians differ on how this law applies to believers under the New Covenant. The New Testament contains no commandment about tattoos; the question is addressed through principles such as conscience, self-control, testimony, and love for one's neighbor.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- Leviticus 19:28 prohibits making cuts on the body for the dead and tattooing inscriptions; nearby are prohibitions against divination, sorcery, and other practices associated with paganism (Leviticus 19:26–31).
- Conclusion: this is part of the Law given to Israel; alongside it are instructions that Christians generally do not consider binding in their original form (for example, the instruction about trimming the beard in Leviticus 19:27).
- At the Jerusalem Council, Gentile Christians were not burdened with the Law, but were instructed to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality (Acts 15:28–29); tattoos are not mentioned among them.
- The Law was a “guardian” until Christ came, but after faith has come, believers are no longer under a guardian (Galatians 3:23–25).
- Application: the decision is made according to principles such as conscience (Romans 14:5, 23), self-control, responsibility for causing others to stumble (1 Corinthians 10:23–24), and the meaning and motive behind the design (people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart, 1 Samuel 16:7).
- Interpretations differ on whether Leviticus 19:28 should be regarded as a commandment binding on Christians; many believe it should not, but tattoos with pagan, occult, or other content incompatible with the faith raise a separate question.
This brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the Scripture texts are from the “Father’s Blessing” Bible.
Key Scriptures
7 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Leviticus 19:26–31
26 Do not eat anything with blood still in it; do not practice divination or seek omens. 27 Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. 28 Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord [your God]. 29 Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, lest the land become prostituted and filled with depravity. 30 Observe my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary. I am the Lord. 31 Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.
Acts 15:28–29
28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality [[, and not do to others what you would not want done to you]]. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.”
Galatians 3:23–25
23 Before the coming of faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. At that time, 24 the law was our guardian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith; 25 now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Romans 14:5
One person regards one day as more sacred than another, while another considers every day alike. Let each person act according to the conviction of their own mind.
Romans 14:23
But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
1 Corinthians 10:23–24
23 All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. All things are permissible for me, but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but each one the benefit of the other.
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature; I have rejected him. I do not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
