Short Answer: Leviticus 19:28 was a command for Israel under the Old Covenant and is not a direct law for Christians today, so tattoos aren’t automatically sinful; the New Testament calls believers to honor God with their bodies, avoid idolatry, and act with wisdom and a clear conscience.
Long Answer:Leviticus 19:28 was a command for Israel under the Old Covenant and is not a direct law for Christians today, so tattoos aren’t automatically sinful; the New Testament calls believers to honor God with their bodies, avoid idolatry, and act with wisdom and a clear conscience.
Most people ask about tattoos because they’ve heard, “The Bible forbids tattoos,” usually pointing to Leviticus 19:28. So the first step is understanding how Christians relate to Old Testament commands.
Why Leviticus 19:28 isn’t a direct command for Christians
Leviticus was given to Israel as part of the Law of Moses—the covenant that governed Israel’s worship, civil life, and distinct identity among the nations. Christians are under the New Covenant established by Jesus, not the Old Covenant law code (Romans 7:6).
The New Testament teaches that the Law served a purpose in God’s plan, but believers are not justified or governed by that covenant in the same way (Galatians 3:24–25). That’s why Christians don’t keep many Old Testament ceremonial and civil commands (dietary laws, fabric restrictions, sacrificial regulations), even though we still learn from them.
So we should not read Leviticus 19:28 as a simple, one-to-one rule for Christians: “No tattoos, ever.”
What Leviticus 19:28 was addressing
Even though the command is not binding on Christians as law, it still teaches us something. In its context, God was warning Israel against practices associated with pagan worship and mourning rituals. The bigger concern was spiritual compromise—adopting the symbols, rituals, and identity markers of idolatry.
That principle still matters. Christians must avoid anything tied to occult practices, idolatrous symbols, or rebellion against God.
What the New Testament does say to Christians
Since tattoos are not directly commanded or forbidden in the New Testament, we apply clear New Testament principles.
Honor God with your body
Your body belongs to the Lord. Paul says we are to glorify God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). That means we don’t treat our bodies as “mine to do whatever I want.” We ask, “Does this choice honor Christ?”
Christian freedom is real—but not careless
Paul teaches that some things may be permissible but not beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). A tattoo might not be sinful in itself, but it can be unwise depending on the design, the motive, or the situation.
Conscience and love matter
Romans 14 teaches that believers should not violate their conscience and should avoid using freedom in a way that harms others. If you can’t do it in faith before God, don’t do it (Romans 14:23). And if a tattoo would create unnecessary offense or stumbling in your context, love may call you to pause or abstain (Romans 14:13–15).
Practical questions to ask before getting a tattoo
- What is my motive—worship, vanity, rebellion, insecurity, testimony, remembrance?
- Does the content or symbolism honor God, or does it glorify sin?
- Will this hinder my witness or relational credibility in my setting?
- Am I acting impulsively, or with prayerful wisdom and counsel?
What to do next
- Pray for wisdom and let the Lord search your motives (James 1:5; Psalm 139:23–24).
- Talk to a mature believer who will be honest with you.
- If you choose to get a tattoo, choose content that doesn’t contradict your faith, and make the decision with long-term wisdom.
- If you already have tattoos, don’t live in shame. In Christ you are forgiven and made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The question isn’t merely, “Is it allowed?” The better question is, “Will this help me honor Jesus—and love others well—in my real life?”
Key Scriptures: Lev 19:28; Rom 7:6; Gal 3:24–25; 1 Cor 6:19–20; 1 Cor 10:23; Rom 14:13–15, 22–23; James 1:5; Psalm 139:23–24; 2 Cor 5:17