We all have questions and you have asked a great one, so let’s find out – what does the bible say about tattoos? Tattoos have become a huge part of our culture. Many Christians have them and maybe you do too. Let’s dive in and see if we can find a good answer.
What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?
“You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD (Leviticus 19:28).”
Of course, the tattoo marks mentioned here, from 1400 BC, aren’t the tattoos we see today. And we’re no longer under the Law, and this verse is part of the Jewish Law given to Moses. Making marks like these was a Pagan practice at that time. And some of the tattoos people get today are demonic or militant or gang related.
Does the New Testament Allow Tattoos?
“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify (1 Corinthians 10:23).”
Tattoos of anything immoral or non-edifying, or otherwise inappropriate, will always be unwise for anyone of any era. But, especially for an admitted Christian.
“So they (the prophets of Baal) cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them (1 Kings 18:28).”
These prophets of Baal cut themselves as a way to get their god’s attention. If you are wondering, it didn’t work. Most people don’t cut themselves, but some Mideast cultures did at that time.
“(God) called to the man (angel) clothed in linen at whose loins was the writing case. “The LORD said to him…put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its (the temple’s) midst.” But to the others, He said in my hearing, “Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare (Ezekiel 9:3-5).”
You are Marked and Sealed by God the Holy Spirit
The Bible tells us that God or an angel marked His people at several different points. But most likely, this mark is some spiritual mark, not visible to other people. God protects His faithful, separating them from those who face His wrath. This separation is similar to how God separated the Israelites on the first Passover in Egypt. The avenging angel passed over the house of anyone who applied the blood to their doorposts (Exodus 11-12:13). Also, in the future tribulation time, God spiritually marks 12,000 men from each tribe of Israel to protect them from its horrors (Revelation 7:3).
“And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name (Revelation 13:16-17).”
Is a Tattoo the Mark of the Beast?
The Antichrist won’t allow the people who refuse his mark to buy or to sell. This mark is visible, or if not visible, monitors can detect it by a scan or in some other way. This puts pressure on God’s people, who must refuse the mark to avoid worshiping the Antichrist.
“Then another angel…followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name (Revelation 14:9-11).”
Just as God marks His people with a spiritual mark, the God-imitating world ruler of the tribulation time will mark his worshipers physically. But his mark is visible or detectable. Receiving this mark is equal to worshiping the Antichrist.
Is it Ok to Get a Tattoo According to the Bible?
This physical marking by Pagans and the Antichrist may be one reason God forbade tattoos in Moses’ Law. But during this age, when we’re not under the Law, God expects the Christian to make wise decisions based on what best advances God’s Kingdom.
Some things to consider. All things are lawful, but:
- Does it edify (1 Corinthians 10:23)?
- Is it wise?
- Is it appropriate?
- Does it improve your testimony for Jesus?
We hope this helps as you are looking into finding an answer to “What does the Bible say about tattoos?”
FAQs
What does the Bible say about tattoos?
The most direct reference comes from Leviticus 19:28, written around 1400 BC, which prohibited making tattoo marks on the body. However, context matters significantly here. That command was part of the Jewish Law given to Moses, and the tattoo-like markings it referred to were a Pagan practice of that era — not the tattoos we see today. Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law, so this verse alone does not settle the question for modern believers. The more relevant biblical framework comes from the New Testament, which calls Christians to make wise, edifying decisions rather than simply following a list of rules. “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.” — Leviticus 19:28
Does the New Testament allow tattoos for Christians?
The New Testament does not specifically address tattoos, but it does provide a framework for making decisions about gray areas. 1 Corinthians 10:23 states that while all things may be lawful, not all things are profitable or edifying. This means the question for a Christian is not simply “is this forbidden?” but rather “does this advance God’s Kingdom, reflect wisdom, and honor Christ?” Tattoos that are immoral, demonic, gang-related, or otherwise inappropriate would always be unwise for any believer. For other tattoos, the call is to prayerful, thoughtful discernment. “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” — 1 Corinthians 10:23
Is a tattoo the same as the Mark of the Beast mentioned in Revelation?
No — the Mark of the Beast described in Revelation is something entirely different. According to Revelation 13, the Antichrist will require a specific mark on the right hand or forehead as a means of economic control, preventing anyone without it from buying or selling. Receiving this mark is equivalent to worshiping the Antichrist — it is a deliberate act of allegiance to a world ruler who stands against God. An ordinary tattoo today is not this mark. The Mark of the Beast is a future, tribulation-era event with specific spiritual and prophetic significance that cannot be equated with the tattoos people choose today. “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” — Revelation 14:9-10
How does God mark His own people, and what does that mean for believers?
Throughout Scripture, God marks and seals His people — but His marks are spiritual rather than physical. Just as the blood on the doorposts during Passover protected the Israelites from the avenging angel, God spiritually separates and protects those who belong to Him. In the New Testament, believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit as a mark of belonging to God. This spiritual marking is not visible to others, but it is real and eternal. It stands in direct contrast to the visible, physical mark the Antichrist will one day require — a counterfeit of God’s own seal on His people.
How should a Christian decide whether or not to get a tattoo?
Rather than looking for a simple yes or no, the better approach is to ask a series of honest questions rooted in biblical wisdom:
- Does it edify? Does this tattoo build up, or does it reflect something that tears down?
- Is it wise? Will this decision reflect good judgment in the long run?
- Is it appropriate? Is the content something that honors God and reflects Christian character?
- Does it improve your testimony for Jesus? How will this affect the way others perceive your faith?
God expects Christians in this age to make decisions that best advance His Kingdom — not to simply follow a checklist, but to think carefully, pray honestly, and choose what reflects the wisdom and love of Christ.
