Tattoos are not explicitly forbidden for Christians. The Leviticus 19:28 prohibition applies to a specific pagan mourning practice in its original context and is not directly binding on New Testament Christians. The relevant Christian questions are about content (does the tattoo honor God?), motive (is it glorifying God or self?), and body stewardship (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 55/100 Mixed — not sin in itself, but warrants serious thought about content and motive.
"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." — Leviticus 19:28. This is the most commonly cited proof-text against tattoos, but its application to Christians requires careful thought.
The context of Leviticus 19:28 is pagan mourning practices in the ancient Near East — cutting bodies and marking skin were associated with mourning for the dead and pagan religious rituals. The prohibition was distinguishing Israel from surrounding pagan practices. The New Testament does not cite this prohibition or apply it to Christians. Christians are not under the Mosaic law as a covenant (Galatians 3:23-25, Colossians 2:16-17) — the food laws, civil laws, and ceremonial laws of the Mosaic code are not binding on New Testament believers as such.
The more relevant Christian framework for tattoos is 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." This text establishes Christian stewardship of the body — not a prohibition of modification but a framework for evaluating it.
Questions this text raises for Christians considering tattoos: Does this tattoo honor God? Does it reflect the lordship of Christ over this body? If Jesus were physically present, would I be comfortable with this mark on the body he purchased? The answers to these questions depend significantly on what the tattoo is and why you want it.
Christians can get tattoos with a clear conscience if: the content is consistent with Philippians 4:8 (true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable), the motive is not rebellion, attention-seeking, or conformity to the world (Romans 12:2), and the decision is made with prayer and wise counsel rather than impulsively. Content matters enormously — an occult symbol is categorically different from a Scripture verse or cross. Placement matters too — tattoos in locations designed to provoke or sexualize are different from those on arms or shoulders.
Many Christians have tattoos that honor God — Scripture references, symbols of faith, memorial marks for loved ones. Many also regret impulsive tattoos from before they followed Christ. The permanence of tattoos makes deliberation particularly important. See our Is It a Sin? hub and our guide on Are Tattoos a Sin? for additional assessment. The GotQuestions treatment of tattoos and the Gospel Coalition's article on tattoos provide additional depth.