Tattoos in the New Testament: What Does the Bible Really Say?

What the Bible says about tattoos in the New Testament: This article aims to explore the New Testament's stance on tattoos and provide a comprehensive understanding of what the Bible really says about this controversial topic.

Tattoos have become increasingly popular in modern society, with many people choosing to get inked for various reasons such as self-expression, cultural significance, or simply for aesthetic purposes. However, tattoos have also been a subject of controversy in Christianity, with some arguing that they are a violation of God's commandments.

The purpose of this article is to examine what the New Testament says about tattoos and provide a historical and cultural context to better understand the Bible's stance on this issue.

Historical Context
Relevant Bible Verses
Interpretation of New Testament Verses
Conclusion

Historical Context

In ancient times, tattoos held significant cultural and religious meanings. In Jewish culture, tattoos were often associated with pagan rituals and were therefore forbidden. In Greco-Roman culture, tattoos were used to mark slaves and criminals, and were seen as a sign of low social status.

Understanding the cultural significance of tattoos in ancient times is important in interpreting the Bible's stance on tattoos. While the Old Testament mentions tattoos, it is important to consider the context and cultural significance of these references.

Relevant Bible Verses

The Old Testament mentions tattoos in Leviticus 19:28, which states, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." This verse has been interpreted by some as a prohibition against tattoos.

However, it is important to consider the context of this verse. The prohibition against cutting one's body for the dead was likely a reference to pagan mourning rituals, and the prohibition against tattoo marks may have been related to the use of tattoos in pagan worship.

Furthermore, the New Testament does not mention tattoos specifically, which suggests that the prohibition against tattoos in the Old Testament may not be relevant to Christians today.

Interpretation of New Testament Verses

While the New Testament does not mention tattoos specifically, some Christians argue that certain verses imply a prohibition against tattoos. For example, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "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."

Some interpret this verse as a prohibition against tattoos, arguing that getting a tattoo is a form of defiling the body, which is supposed to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.

However, others argue that this verse is not specifically referring to tattoos, but rather to any behavior that dishonors the body. Furthermore, some argue that tattoos can actually be a form of honoring God, such as getting a tattoo of a Bible verse or religious symbol.

Conclusion

Overall, the Bible's stance on tattoos is not entirely clear. While the Old Testament mentions tattoos, it is important to consider the cultural and historical context of these references. Furthermore, the New Testament does not mention tattoos specifically, which suggests that the prohibition against tattoos in the Old Testament may not be relevant to Christians today.

Ultimately, whether or not to get a tattoo is a personal decision that should be made prayerfully and with consideration for one's own beliefs and convictions.

It is important for Christians to approach the topic of tattoos with an open mind and a willingness to consider different interpretations of the Bible's teachings.

Key Points:

The cultural significance of tattoos in ancient times is important in interpreting the Bible's stance on tattoos.
The Old Testament mentions tattoos, but it is important to consider the context and cultural significance of these references.
The New Testament does not mention tattoos specifically, which suggests that the prohibition against tattoos in the Old Testament may not be relevant to Christians today.
Whether or not to get a tattoo is a personal decision that should be made prayerfully and with consideration for one's own beliefs and convictions.

Pros	Cons
Can be a form of self-expression and creativity	Some may view tattoos as a violation of God's commandments
Can be a way to honor God or express one's faith	Tattoos can be permanent and difficult to remove
Can be a way to commemorate a significant event or person	Tattoos can be expensive

Overall, it is important for Christians to approach the topic of tattoos with an open mind and a willingness to consider different interpretations of the Bible's teachings. While the Bible's stance on tattoos may not be entirely clear, it is ultimately up to each individual to prayerfully consider their own beliefs and convictions when making the decision to get a tattoo.

For more information on Christianity and tattoos, check out this article on Christianity Today.