Is it a sin to get a tattoo?
The one verse that mentions marking the body (Leviticus 19:28) addresses pagan mourning rituals, not modern tattoos; the Bible gives no blanket command, so it becomes a matter of wisdom, motive, and conscience.
Leviticus 19:28 forbids cutting the body and marking it “for the dead,” tied to the idolatrous customs of surrounding nations — part of the old-covenant law that set Israel apart.
The New Testament does not repeat this as a moral command. So the question moves to principles: honoring God with your body, avoiding vanity, submitting to parents if young, and keeping a clear conscience.
A tattoo is not inherently sinful, but motive matters. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) is the test — along with love for others and freedom from a divided heart.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.