The question “What verse in the Bible talks about tattoos?” often leads people to Leviticus 19:28, which says, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”
This Old Testament law was given to the Israelites in a cultural and religious context where body markings were often connected to pagan rituals. While this is the direct verse about tattoos, the Bible also offers many other passages that speak to principles about our bodies, holiness, and honoring God.
Today, Christians may interpret this verse differently—some see it as a timeless command, while others believe it was specific to Old Testament ceremonial law. Whatever your perspective, Scripture encourages us to think carefully about how we use our bodies and to make decisions that reflect our faith.
Below are 35 Bible verses, starting with Leviticus 19:28, that address tattoos directly and share related wisdom about honoring God with our bodies, avoiding pagan practices, and living in holiness.
1. Leviticus 19:28
“Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”
Explanation: This is the only verse that directly mentions tattoo marks. It was given in the context of avoiding pagan mourning rituals and remaining set apart for God.
2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you… You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Explanation: Our bodies belong to God, so every choice we make, including body art, should reflect His honor.
3. Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you… to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Explanation: Believers are called to dedicate their whole selves, including their bodies, to God.
4. 1 Samuel 16:7
“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Explanation: God values the heart over physical appearance, reminding us not to judge others based on external choices.
5. 1 Peter 3:3-4
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”
Explanation: Inner character is far more important to God than physical decoration.
6. Galatians 6:17
“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
Explanation: Paul uses “marks” metaphorically, but it reminds us that our bodies can be a testimony of our faith.
7. Deuteronomy 14:1-2
“You are the children of the Lord your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead, for you are a people holy to the Lord your God.”
Explanation: God’s people were called to avoid pagan rituals involving the body.
8. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Explanation: All actions, including choices about our bodies, should bring God glory.
9. Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Explanation: Decisions about appearance should reflect a heart submitted to Christ.
10. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble… think about such things.”
Explanation: Our choices should align with pure and honorable thinking.
11. Isaiah 44:5
“Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel.”
Explanation: This verse poetically describes belonging to God, even using imagery of writing on the body.
12. Ezekiel 9:4
“Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things.”
Explanation: In this vision, a mark identified God’s faithful, showing symbolic uses of body markings.
13. Revelation 7:3
“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
Explanation: Symbolic marks can represent God’s ownership and protection.
14. Revelation 14:1
“Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb… and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
Explanation: Another symbolic example of body marking in Scripture.
15. Revelation 22:4
“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”
Explanation: A final image of belonging to God through a symbolic mark.
16. Jeremiah 31:33
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”
Explanation: God’s focus is on spiritual inscription, not physical markings.
17. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Explanation: Decisions about tattoos should be prayerfully considered in light of God’s wisdom.
18. Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Explanation: Our motivations matter more than the act itself.
19. Matthew 5:16
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Explanation: Even personal choices about appearance should point people to God.
20. Ephesians 5:15-16
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.”
Explanation: Wisdom is essential in making choices that honor God.
21. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
“But test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”
Explanation: Evaluate all decisions by God’s standard of good.
22. Romans 14:12
“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
Explanation: We are personally responsible to God for our choices.
23. Romans 14:23
“Everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
Explanation: If you cannot make a decision in faith, it may not be the right one.
24. James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.”
Explanation: God invites us to seek His wisdom for life’s choices.
25. 1 Timothy 4:12
“Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Explanation: Our lives, including outward expression, should be an example to others.
26. 2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord.”
Explanation: God’s people are called to live distinct from worldly practices.
27. Galatians 5:13
“Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Explanation: Christian freedom should not be used selfishly.
28. 2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.”
Explanation: Choose what leads to righteousness over temporary trends.
29. Titus 2:7-8
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.”
Explanation: Live in a way that reflects integrity.
30. Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy.”
Explanation: Holiness should be the goal in every choice.
31. Hebrews 13:18
“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.”
Explanation: Seek a clear conscience before God in all matters.
32. 1 John 2:15-16
“Do not love the world or anything in the world.”
Explanation: Be careful not to let worldly values drive decisions.
33. 1 John 3:3
“All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
Explanation: Purity in motive and action matters to God.
34. Jude 1:20-21
“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Explanation: Stay close to God in your choices and priorities.
35. Micah 6:8
“He has shown you… what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Explanation: Walking humbly with God should guide every decision, including tattoos.
Final Thoughts
When people ask, “What verse in the Bible talks about tattoos?”, the direct answer is Leviticus 19:28.
But the broader conversation involves many verses about holiness, honoring God with our bodies, and making decisions rooted in faith.
Whether you choose to get a tattoo or not, the Bible calls us to seek God’s wisdom, guard our hearts, and live in a way that reflects His glory.