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# Holy Ink
- URL: https://thesparrowpress.com/holyink/
- Published: 2026-04-19T01:33:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-30T10:58:29.000Z
- Author: Caleb Swenson
- Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1793357894408, #Import 2026-10-30 10:58

A 2018 survey run by *Dalia Research,* a leading global research company that specialized in gathering real-time global data, reveals that 38% of the global population have at least one tattoo. The three leading countries being : 

1. Italy 48%
2. Sweden 47%
3. United States 46%

Though Dalia offers the largest most recent survey, it doesn't tackle what some of us are thinking. What does Jesus, and the bible actually say about tattoos? Below I offer some insight on what the Bible says, scholars' opinions on the word, and my thoughts. For reference and following along, I’ll be referring to the *New International Version.*

The only mention of tattoos we see is in the Old Testament, the book of Leviticus. “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” - Leviticus 19:28\. Traditional viewers believe that Moses wrote the book of Leviticus around 1400 BC, while modern scholars date the text in the 600-300 BC range. Regardless of your stance we can align on this, Leviticus was written at the very least 300 years before Jesus was born.

Even with all of this information, a verse in the Bible that says “don’t do it”. People still continue to get tattoos, that leaves a few reasons why: earthly sin, or context of the Old Testament. The book of Leviticus wasn’t written for us. It was written for a specific group, at a specific time. This law among others was a part of a system that Jesus came to fulfill, not extend.

The justification of tattoos even as a Christian is supported by a simple belief, that Jesus is far more concerned with what lives inside a person than anything we could do to our skin. Throughout the Bible we see mentions of our bodies being temporary. Supporting verses below:

 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life.” - John 6:63

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

“For we know that if this earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” - 2 Corinthians 5:1

These are only a few examples of verses that suggest Jesus isn’t very concerned with our bodies, let alone ink on them. There is one last verse I’d like to share as Jesus returns to us in his glory, John describes him here: “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” - Revelation 19:16\. Make of that what you will.

I don’t know what Jesus thinks about tattoos. But I’d like to think he's more concerned with what's in our hearts than what's on our skin. I believe there is some truth to tattoos being a sin, perhaps that's where forgiveness comes in.