Does Jesus Really Have a Tattoo?
This is a deep theological question that allows me to distinguish between two kinds of marks in the Bible. While Jesus did not bear the kind of mark that was forbidden under the Mosaic Law, the Bible explicitly states that His glorified body bears a permanent, visible inscription of His authority.
During His earthly life, Jesus would not have had a tattoo, as the practice of marking the body was tied to pagan rituals—the exact kind of practice forbidden under the Old Testament Law.
However, the Bible describes two kinds of permanent marks on the glorified Jesus:
1. The Inscription of Authority (The Tattoo-Like Mark)
In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John describes Jesus returning in triumph as the "King of Kings." The description includes a powerful, definitive inscription on His body:
Revelation 19:16 (KJV): "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
This mark is not temporary; it is written upon His clothing and upon His thigh. Whether we view this as a literal inscription, a symbolic mark of ownership, or a permanent tattoo-like statement of authority, the message is clear: it is a declaration of supreme honour and worship.
The Linguistic Distinction: Prohibited Mark vs. Divine Writing
To understand the difference, I look at the original language God used. The two words are fundamentally distinct:
A. The Prohibited Mark in Leviticus
The KJV uses the word "print" for the forbidden mark:
Leviticus 19:28 (KJV): "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD."
The original Hebrew word is קַעֲקַע (), Strong's H7082: meaning an incision, a cutting, or engraving made for pagan ritual.
B. The Divine Mark in Revelation
The KJV uses the word "written" for the mark on Jesus:
Revelation 19:16 (KJV): "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written..."
The original Greek word is γεγραμμένον (), Strong's G1125: meaning a writing or inscription that has been completed—the language of documentation, royalty, and proclamation.
2. The Marks of Sacrifice (The Permanent Wounds)
Additionally, the marks of the crucifixion—the nail prints and spear wound—were intentionally retained by Jesus after His resurrection, confirming their permanence as eternal badges of honour:
John 20:27 (KJV): "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."
Jesus did not have to retain these wounds. By deliberately displaying these physical scars, He affirmed that permanent marks can be purposeful and honourable.
The Conclusion for Kingdom Ink
This scriptural evidence confirms the conviction I stand on at Kingdom Ink:
The linguistic difference clearly separates modern, artistic, and faith-honouring tattooing from the forbidden pagan practice of the Old Testament. A tattoo is a permanent mark, and if the purpose is to honour God, that act of inscription is aligned with the glorious purpose of the permanent marks found on our King!
