Lev. 19:28(ESV)
28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.
I have three tattoos, all three were gotten after having been a Christian for many years.
Does this verse apply to me? If so, in what manner? If not, why?
I used to be Christian; I’m not anymore. Regardless, I do think it is sin to mark your body based on what the verse said, but that’s likely not the only sin you’ll commit.
I think you’ll be fine, as long as you follow whatever the ever changing scripture tells you to do.
a blogger, thanks for the comment. Though I was hoping for a comment from a Christian.
Jesus, I don’t think you need to concern yourself with a verse from the OT Law that prohibited the Israelite people from having tattoos. I do think that such things are more between you and the Lord, and I won’t condemn you for having tattoos.
However, as one continues down the path to sanctification, I would expect that one would come to the understanding that one’s body is the Temple of the Lord, and maybe you would make the decision that there are things that would glorify the Lord more than a new tattoo. I think it comes down to spiritual maturity.
The same goes for smoking and drinking. Would it glorify God? Would it put a stumbling block in front of a weaker brother? Don’t I have better things to do?
If sin is whatever separates us from the Lord, how much of what we do then is not sin?
Live for the Lord Jesus.
Hey Gary! Thanks for coming by, hope you are well.
I am not concerned about my tattoos, my cigar smoking or my occasional beer, as these things do not in any way come between me and my Lord. On more than one occasion I have had great theological discussions with my Brothers while cigar smoke is wafting around us.
I am interested in another Christians perspective as to what is “rightness” of certain actions according to what scripture tells us.
From the verse that I posted, can one imply that it is not a sin to get a tattoo as long as it wasn’t for the dead? Is that meant for the OT covenant people only? What is the context of the chapter and do the other “don’ts” apply in the same way?
It is my understanding that the OT covenantal law does not apply to the modern church. Only those parts of the old law which are reaffirmed by the NT apply to us in the here and now. Examples like what you posted are applicable in their original context and relate to the practices in place during those ancient times (like cooking kids in their mother’s milk). So… unless your tattoos have some sort of religious significance to a pagan religion they are probably nothing to fret over. I would also say that I agree with Gary about my body being the temple of the Holy Spirit and that is one of the main reasons why I don’t have a desire to tattoo myself.
A really helpful (and short) book on understanding context in the Bible which I just finished reading is Fee’s: How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth.
As with all of the scriptures, there is a context here (content plus context equals meaning!). This scripture is talking specifically about the practice of tattooing oneself in accordance with cultic religious worship… the kind that the surrounding people groups of the day were involved in. The word that we translate “tattoo” is also only kind of a “best fit” word as the original text implies that it may have meant more of a “branding” or “scarring” as well as the inlaying of ink into the skin, although we can’t be sure as there is no direct translation. This is just another instance of God protecting his people and keeping them sacred from the rest of the world in order to preserve them (and through them, the Messiah). When I hear this question asked (“Is it a sin to get a tattoo?”) or others like it, I always think of this:
The Law was given in 4 parts:
1. Moral Law: To preserve the soul
2. Cultural Law: To preserve the message
3. Dietary Law: To preserve the promise
4. Levitical Law: To preserve the calling
Jesus’ first coming fulfilled the Cultural, Dietary and Levitical laws (as they were put in place to preserve the people so that the Messiah could come out of the Nation of Israel), but we are still bound by the Moral law. There is a ton that could be said about this, but as with most things of God, the answer of the question ultimately lies with the intent of the Heart of the one asking it.
Here’s a great study where Waxer talks about this verse:
http://onelove.org/podcast/view/56/mp3
He talks specifically about this around 56 minutes in. I wish I could find the study where he talks about the four types of law, but I’ll have to dig around for it.
great post, Mark! Howzit!
Jesus himself said that he came not to destroy the law but fulfill it. Math. 5:17-19. He fulfilled the law in totality thereby being able to impute that righteousness unto us, the believers. The law under the OC was meant to separate the chosen people and it was also typological of the new heaven and the new earth. The OC law is still in place but we now fulfill it through union with Christ as it he that is the temple, the sabbath and the sacrifice!
Mark, does One Love teach dispensational theology or covenant theology?
Love you!
I really enjoy your blog. Very helpful info on Bible translations and bindings and such. …
You wrote:
Jesus himself said that he came not to destroy the law but fulfill it…
WHICH Jesus said that?
Is it sinful for a Christian to go by the name “Jesus”? ( no offense intended )
If you had been named “God”, would you change it or keep the name?
Again, I really enjoy your blog.
Keep up the good work.
Ha Ha! Thanks, Daniel.
Of course it’s not a sin to be called Jesus, either in English or Spanish. First, there isn’t any scripture that says it is sin to be named Jesus. Second, are we Christian or Jesusian? There were others named Yeshua, Jeschua, Y’hoshua, Iesous, Joshua and Jesus at the time Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior was walking the dusty towns of ancient Israel, it was a “common” name. When Peter was asked by Jesus, “who do you say I am?”, did Peter reply by saying that He was the Jesus or the Christ? What is important, His name or His commission?(Mat. 16:16) Lastly, I have never claimed to be the savior, messiah, God incarnate or the second person of the trinity.
If I was named “God” by my parents, I would not change my name nor would I think it is a sin.
Does anyone remember a basketball player from UConn(?) named God Shamgod? This was close to ten years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Shammgod
I’d never heard of him before.
Jesus, have you been marking yourself for the dead? I hope not. Its often silly the way gentile christians wax legal about all sorts of “shoulds”, applying the laws of Moses to the daily walk without first figuring out what it meant when given. If you’re not worshipping other gods or communicating with spirits I think you’ll be fine with your tattoos. Jesus said, “if anyone loves me he will keep my word”. That is the law of liberty with which we should be concerned. By the way, if you miss church next Sunday morning in the AM, I really wonder about your commitment, brother! ;-)
Bob Burns
San Francisco
Nice!
Thanks Bob! I’ll try and make it next Sunday ;-)
There have been some good responses to this question, but there’s an answer I’m surprised no one else has brought up:
Did anyone happen to read the verse before verse 28? That one prohibits men from cutting their hair or shaving their beards. Anyone guilty of that one today?
I think there are many other questions and perspectives to see whether or not a Christian should or shouldn’t (because it’s definitely not a “can or can’t” scenario) get a tatoo, but using a verse that is contexted with a verse that says we can’t shave in the mornings is probably not the best idea.
so ive actually been doin a study on this, (I am a born again Christian by the way) and like some one has previously stated, the verse before 28 says that men shouldnt cut their hair or shave their beards and even further before it says that you shouldnt wear clothes made of 2 types of materials. Though it is widely claimed in the churches today that God is talkin to christians when saying this, he isnt. The people that he was talkin to would actually cut themselves and mark upon themselves at the funeral of a loved one because they believed that in doing so they would please their gods and their god would bring said person back to life. the bible also talks to women about how they shouldnt braid their hair, or wear makeup or jewelry because that was a sign of a whore. the bible does however say in Galatians 6:17 (niv) “Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for i bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Cant really argue with that. but then theres that one cocky self rightious christian that thinks he’s better than everyone else and its his job to point out others wrongs and so he will reply with “what would Jesus do?” 1. I highly doubt that Jesus would even be accepted in many churches today because he hung out with the people that the church claimed to be “bad people” but it says in the bible a physician isnt for the healthy, but for the sick. but 2. it says in Revelations 19:16 (niv) “On his rove and on his thigh he has this name written:
so ive actually been doin a study on this, (I am a born again Christian by the way) and like some one has previously stated, the verse before 28 says that men shouldnt cut their hair or shave their beards and even further before it says that you shouldnt wear clothes made of 2 types of materials. Though it is widely claimed in the churches today that God is talkin to christians when saying this, he isnt. The people that he was talkin to would actually cut themselves and mark upon themselves at the funeral of a loved one because they believed that in doing so they would please their gods and their god would bring said person back to life. the bible also talks to women about how they shouldnt braid their hair, or wear makeup or jewelry because that was a sign of a whore. the bible does however say in Galatians 6:17 (niv) “Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for i bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Cant really argue with that. but then theres that one cocky self rightious christian that thinks he’s better than everyone else and its his job to point out others wrongs and so he will reply with “what would Jesus do?” 1. I highly doubt that Jesus would even be accepted in many churches today because he hung out with the people that the church claimed to be “bad people” but it says in the bible a physician isnt for the healthy, but for the sick. but 2. it says in Revelations 19:16 (niv) “On his rove and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” so yes…Jesus does have a tattoo. there ya go man.
thanks Brian
a blogger,
“ever changing scripture tells you to do.” Blogger, dear friend Regardless, I do think it is sin to mark your body based on what the verse said, but that’s likely not the only sin you’ll commit.
I think you’ll be fine, as long as you follow whatever the ever changing scripture tells you to do.
The scripture the never changing word of God dosen’t change for anyone at anytime! They Call me Irvin…
God, word is the same to every generation. man may try to change it but God’s Word is infallible .
Here are some of the verses in which the Bible describes itself:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
“The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
(See also: 1 Peter 1:23–25; 2 Peter 1:19–21; Psalm 19:7–11; Psalm 119:1–176.)
I love this; absolutely. i’m not really a “blogger,” to be honest i’ve never done it, but these responses were very helpful to me. i’m thinking about getting a small tattoo saying “faith” and the “t” being a cross. i’ve contemplated, not really knowing biblically if it is right or wrong. i still am not exactly sure, but have a better understanding. i don’t think it would be financially smart for me to get one right now, but maybe in the future.
I don’t know if this post will even be read or not, but i just stumbled upon it because i want a tattoo myself. I feel confident that it’s ok for me to get a tattoo but the tattoo i want to get is in remembrance of my cousin/best friend who died of leukemia. This tattoo is more of a celebration of my favorite moment with her & a celebration of her being in heaven. I haven’t quite prayed about it yet, but i also don’t feel a nagging guilt every time i think about it either(which usually happens when i want to do something that is sinful). What are your thoughts on this?
I am a Christian, a single mother who has two sons , 19 and 21. my sons used to follow me to Church when they were young. But now the eldest one started doubting in God and enter into tatooing for others.
His customers came to our house for tatoo and that annoyed me. He told me he needs monies to support himself and his motor bike since I have limited income.
I told him about God’s view on Tatoos, but he do not learning.
What should I do, I am a failure mother.