Leviticus 19:28 says You shall not make any cuts on your body [in mourning] for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves; I am the Lord.
The only Bible verse that explicitly mentions tattoos is Leviticus 19:28, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves.
“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.” What does the Bible say about tattoos? That's it—that one line in Leviticus 19:28 of the Old Testament.
There is one explicit reference to tattooing in the Bible: Leviticus 19:28. It says: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves. I am the Lord.” Now that should at least give us a few minutes of pause. But, of course, there are two reasons at least why that does not settle the matter.
The Bible doesn't explicitly name individuals with modern-style tattoos, but suggests King Jehoiakim might have had superstitious markings, and some interpret Isaiah 44:5 ("mark his arm 'of the LORD'") and Revelation 19:16 (Jesus with "King of Kings" on his thigh) as figurative or symbolic body markings. While Leviticus 19:28 forbids tattoos for Israelites, New Testament interpretations often focus on motive and the new covenant, with Paul's "marks of Jesus" (Galatians 6:17) possibly referring to stigmata or ritual scars rather than ink.
Tattoos can transform how you perceive and present yourself to the world. Many people report feeling more confident and comfortable in their own skin after getting meaningful artwork permanently added to their bodies. This confidence boost stems from the sense of ownership and personal expression that tattoos provide.
So when we understand that Jesus was a faithful Jewish man, we can know that he probably didn't have a tattoo actually on his thigh and he won't when he comes as John saw in revelation 19.
Leviticus 19:28 says You shall not make any cuts on your body [in mourning] for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves; I am the Lord.
Isaiah 44:5 describes people declaring "I am the LORD's," with one person writing "of the LORD" on their hand, suggesting a voluntary, self-applied mark of devotion to God, often contrasted with Leviticus 19:28's prohibition against body marks for the dead, leading to debate on whether it permits tattoos as a sign of faith or if it's metaphorical, representing commitment rather than literal ink. Some see it as an exception or clarification, showing intent matters, while others argue it's figurative, showing people freely claiming God as their master, like ancient slaves marked by owners, but willingly.
Many contemporary sources likewise note that tattoos are prohibited in Leviticus 19:28 in part because of their self-mutilating effect on the human body. The Word Biblical Commentary (1992) notes, “The body is a marvelous creation of God. Its wholeness represents the beauty and perfection of holiness.
The best Bible verse tattoos are personal, but popular choices focus on strength, guidance, love, and hope, like Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things"), Psalm 23:4 ("I will fear no evil"), Isaiah 41:10 ("Fear not, for I am with you"), Proverbs 3:5-6 ("Trust in the Lord"), and John 11:35 ("Jesus wept"). The best verse is one that deeply resonates with your faith, often paired with imagery like eagles (Isaiah 40:31) or crosses for added meaning.
Whether tattoos are okay for Christians involves diverse interpretations, primarily stemming from Leviticus 19:28 (Old Testament prohibition) versus New Testament principles of freedom in Christ, focusing on motives, glorifying God (1 Corinthians 10:31, 6:19-20), and not being bound by the Mosaic Law (Romans 7:6). While some see tattoos as inherently sinful or tied to paganism, many believe context matters, allowing for faith-based or meaningful tattoos if they honor God and don't defile the body, viewing the body as a temple.
But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.
Whether tattoos are against God's word is a debated topic among Christians, with some citing Leviticus 19:28 ("You shall not make any cuts in your flesh for the dead, or tattoo any marks on you") as a prohibition, while others argue this Old Testament law doesn't apply to New Covenant Christians or that the original context (pagan practices, mourning rituals) differs from modern tattoos, suggesting the heart's intent, not the ink itself, is what matters. Many believe tattoos can be acceptable if they glorify God, represent faith, or serve as ministry tools, but should be avoided if they promote vanity, violence, or idolatry, emphasizing wisdom and love in the decision.
The usual proof text is Leviticus 19:28: “You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” That verse has been regarded as an injunction against pagan rituals, but also as a call to honor God's good creation as it is manifested in our bodies.
Jesus has a thigh tattoo … if we take Revelation 19|16 literally. “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Islam, Orthodox Judaism, and some branches of Christianity (like Jehovah's Witnesses and certain fundamentalists) generally discourage or prohibit tattoos, viewing them as altering God's creation, self-mutilation, or violating biblical texts; however, interpretations vary widely, with many modern adherents finding ways to reconcile faith and tattoos.
Research on tattoos older than 40 years shows that ink particles remain in the deep dermis and local lymph nodes. According to the WHO data from animal experiments, black and red tattoo ink particles reach the liver, and titanium dioxide (white pigment) reaches the liver, spleen, and lung (4).
But some of the inks tattoo artists use are derived from toxic heavy metals and dyes. These substances have been found to damage DNA and to be carcinogenic. Tiny nanoparticles from the ink can enter the bloodstream and spread to the lymphatic system and the liver.
Well, the straightforward answer is no — the Bible does NOT forbid Christian believers from getting inked. Someone might say, “but I thought somewhere in the Old Testament it said not to get a tattoo.” The passage people are harking back to is in Leviticus 19.28.
Did Jesus Have a Tattoo on His Thigh in Revelation 19:16? The verse in question here is the only verse in the New Testament that appears to suggest that Jesus had something “inscribed” on his body.