Getting a tattoo is a significant decision, and it often comes with a wave of opinions from friends, family, and even strangers. Maybe you’ve heard it all before, from casual compliments to concerns about eternal consequences. Perhaps, like me, you’ve encountered the idea that tattoos are forbidden by the Bible. Working within a church environment, this question isn’t just academic; it touches on personal expression and faith. Are tattoos truly a sin according to the “Tattoo Bible”? Let’s delve into what the scriptures actually say.
Are tattoos a sin?
The question of whether tattoos are sinful isn’t a deal-breaker for faith, but engaging with potentially confusing parts of the Bible can indeed deepen our trust in God. So, let’s explore this often-cited “tattoo bible” verse and understand its true meaning for us today.
Unpacking the “Tattoo Bible” Verse: Leviticus 19:28
The verse most frequently brought up in discussions about tattoos and the Bible comes from Leviticus 19:28:
“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.”
This single line is often presented as a definitive “tattoo bible” commandment, seemingly outlawing tattoos for all time. However, to truly understand this scripture, we need to look at its context. Isolated verses can be misleading.
Consider the verse immediately preceding it, Leviticus 19:27: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” Many modern individuals, even within religious communities, routinely cut their hair and trim their beards without considering it a sin. This immediately suggests that Leviticus 19 might contain laws that require further interpretation rather than a literal, across-the-board application to contemporary life. To gain deeper insight, we need to explore the broader biblical narrative and understand how different parts of scripture relate to one another.
Jesus and the Old Testament Law: A New Perspective on the Tattoo Bible
To gain clarity on Old Testament laws like Leviticus 19:28, looking at Jesus and the New Testament is crucial. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, describes Jesus as the “culmination” of the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4). Paul further explains that Jesus “is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances…” (Romans 2:14-15).
This suggests a significant shift in how we understand and apply Old Testament laws after Jesus’s arrival. It seems to indicate that Jesus abolished these laws, potentially freeing us from the Levitical tattoo prohibition. However, Jesus himself states in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” This adds another layer of complexity. It’s not a simple case of discarding the Old Testament. Instead, it calls for a nuanced understanding of fulfillment versus abolition.
What does the Bible say about Tattoos?
Christian tradition generally distinguishes between different types of Old Testament laws. Moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments, are often seen as timeless and universally applicable. Jesus himself reaffirms these in Mark 10:19 and other teachings. However, many other Old Testament laws, particularly those concerning ritual purity, food, and specific practices like mixing fabrics (Leviticus 19:19, Deuteronomy 22:11), are not typically followed literally by contemporary Christians. Most people wearing a cotton-poly blend shirt aren’t concerned about violating biblical law.
The key lies in discerning the intent and context behind these Old Testament laws. It’s not about cherry-picking which laws to follow, but about understanding the underlying principles and how they apply in a changed world through the lens of Christ. This requires wrestling with scripture, seeking to understand God’s heart and purpose behind these commandments. As the name “Israel” itself suggests, meaning “Wrestles with God,” this engagement and questioning is a vital part of our relationship with God and His Word.
Delving into the Historical Context of Inking: Why the Tattoo Bible Might Say No
To grasp the original intent of the prohibition against tattoos in Leviticus 19:28, we must consider the historical context. The Bible doesn’t explicitly state the reason for this ban, but it’s unlikely that God was simply against all forms of body modification, such as a small, decorative tattoo.
Historically, tattoos in the ancient world were often associated with practices very different from modern recreational tattooing. Consider Ötzi the Iceman, Europe’s oldest known mummy, dating back to 3350-3105 B.C., who had an astonishing 61 tattoos. However, these weren’t likely for aesthetic purposes. Evidence suggests that in ancient cultures, tattoos were often marks of social status (including for criminals or prostitutes), used for pain relief, or, crucially, linked to pagan religious rituals and the worship of false gods.
The cultures surrounding ancient Israel often practiced tattooing as a form of mourning the dead or as marks of devotion to deities other than the God of Israel. These tattoos were ceremonial, signifying allegiance to idols and superstitious beliefs. Therefore, the prohibition in Leviticus 19:28 was most likely rooted in God’s desire to set His people apart from these idolatrous practices, not to condemn all forms of body ink in every context.
Are tattoos a sin?
So, Are Tattoos a Sin Today? Reconsidering the Tattoo Bible’s Stance
Understanding the historical and cultural context of Leviticus 19:28 changes how we interpret the “tattoo bible” verse. The commands against tattoos, cutting hair in specific ways, and mixing fabrics seem to stem from God’s desire to differentiate His people, Israel, from the surrounding cultures and their idolatrous practices (Exodus 19:5). This separation was a central theme in many Old Testament laws.
However, the specific ways in which God called His people to be set apart were often context-dependent and time-sensitive. As the world changes, the outward expressions of this separation may also evolve. What was necessary to distinguish God’s people in ancient times may not be the same in the modern world.
Tattoos fall into this category. The Bible doesn’t mention them again after Leviticus. The enduring principle, the unchanging “law” that remains, is our exclusive worship of God. This is the core message, the heart behind the Old Testament restrictions, and what should guide us today.
Therefore, many Christians believe that tattoos are not inherently forbidden in our time. While some faithful Christians hold differing views, a nuanced understanding of scripture suggests that the Levitical prohibition was not meant to be a perpetual, universal ban on all tattoos in all contexts.
However, this freedom doesn’t mean “anything goes.”
Reading Beyond the Lines: Wisdom for Gray Areas Beyond the Tattoo Bible
The Bible doesn’t explicitly address every modern issue (like social media or countless other aspects of contemporary life). Tattoos, in our current cultural context, become one of these “gray areas”—topics not directly addressed but for which we can seek biblical wisdom.
Several New Testament passages offer guidance for navigating these gray areas, including decisions about tattoos:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) This verse encourages us to evaluate our motivations and actions based on whether they honor God.
“…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4) This passage emphasizes inner beauty and character over outward appearance, suggesting we should prioritize inner qualities in our decisions about self-expression.
“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24) This highlights the importance of considering the impact of our choices, even if we have the freedom to make them. Are our actions helpful and beneficial, or simply self-serving?
What does the Bible say about Tattoos?
Navigating these “gray areas,” where the “tattoo bible” doesn’t give a direct yes or no, is actually a vital part of developing a mature faith. If God provided explicit rules for every possible scenario, our relationship with Him might become more about rule-following than genuine connection and growth. The freedom to wrestle with scripture, to seek God’s wisdom in areas not explicitly detailed, fosters a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.
Perhaps the crucial question isn’t just “Are tattoos a sin according to the tattoo bible?”, but rather “Is getting this tattoo right for me in my journey with God?”
To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo: A Personal Decision Guided by Faith
Ultimately, the decision to get a tattoo, or not, is a personal one that should be made within the context of your faith and relationship with God. The Bible encourages us to bring our desires and decisions to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6). Ask God what He thinks. Seek His guidance in your decision.
While Christians may have the freedom to get tattoos, the Bible also emphasizes that “everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). This means our motivations and intentions matter. Just because something is permissible doesn’t automatically make it beneficial or glorifying to God. Impulsive decisions, driven by fleeting trends or superficial reasons, might not align with a life lived in faith.
My personal decision to get a tattoo was rooted in years of prayer and reflection on a specific scripture that had become deeply meaningful to me. It felt like an act of faith, a way to carry a reminder of God’s truth with me daily. While not all tattoos need to be Bible verses, mine was a choice made to glorify God and deepen my understanding of Him.
The question surrounding tattoos is really a gateway to a larger question: Are we willing to submit every area of our lives to God’s will? This commitment, this willingness to seek God’s guidance in all our decisions, is the true path to living a life of faith, whether you choose to get inked or not.
Disclaimer: This article is 100% human-generated.
References:
Smithsonian, Ancient ink: Iceman Otzi has the world’s oldest tattoos
Mark 10:19
Leviticus 19:19
Deuteronomy 22:11
Exodus 19:5
Philippians 4:6
Romans 14:23
James 4:7
Romans 10:4
Matthew 5:17
1 Corinthians 10:31
1 Peter 3:4
1 Corinthians 10:23-24
Romans 2:14-15
