What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?
If you’ve been tatted up and matted up, you better listen up! Because the Bible says you shall not tattoo yourselves, I am the Lord!
You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves, I am the Lord! (Leviticus 19:28)
So if you have tattoos, it’s time to go under the laser and get those puppies removed!
But… If we first look at the context, the verses prior to this say:
You shall not eat the flesh with any blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes. You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord! (Leviticus 19:26-28)
So, obviously, there’s more going on than just “Thou shalt not get a tattoo!”
God was sending Israel into a pagan land where the people worshipped many false gods. Because the Hebrews were called to be holy, they were not to imitate even the appearance of any other people whose customs aligned with their paganism.
I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy for I am holy. (Leviticus 11:44)
So, that’s what’s going on in Leviticus 19:28.
Likewise, we as Christians are set apart in Christ, and we need to be wise regarding worldly practices.
If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel used for honor, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)
If anything would cause another to stumble, it’s best to abstain.
Don’t cause someone else to stumble! (Romans 14:13)… also see 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 and Romans 14:14-23.
There is no specific instruction regarding tattoos. In first century Rome, they were considered “Stigmas” – which is a tattoo, by the way – and were marks often forced on servants, slaves, or outcasts. They were marks of disgrace of infamy; a stain or reproach, as on a person’s reputation.
So, with that in mind, consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians:
Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all churches. Was anyone at the time of his calling already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of his circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his calling uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commands of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called…
You were bought with a price. Do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, let him remain there with God.
(1 Corinthians 7:17-24)
So, it’s not an exact command related to altering the body with piercings or tattoos, but it’s something to consider…
…when we understand the text.
(This video is by WWUTT. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central.)