Did Christ Have a Tattoo?

[Piusx]

I was asked if it was true that Christ had a tatoo on his inner thigh.
A lady told me that a teen-ager used this as a justification for getting a tattoo himself. Typical teen.
He told her that it was in Revelation that Jesus had one.
I told her that I did not believe it, but if anyone would know for sure, it would be this forum.
If the teen quoted Revelation, it must be something symbolic but not physically true.
Anyone know Revelation so well as to answer this?

Thanks

[awalt]

There isn't anything in Revelation that I have seen mentioning it. I would highly doubt this.

You may want to suggest they read Leviticus 19:28, this seems pretty clear to me:

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord. (Le 19:28).

[thistle]

Originally Posted by Piusx

I was asked if it was true that Christ had a tatoo on his inner thigh.
A lady told me that a teen-ager used this as a justification for getting a tattoo himself. Typical teen.
He told her that it was in Revelation that Jesus had one.
I told her that I did not believe it, but if anyone would know for sure, it would be this forum.
If the teen quoted Revelation, it must be something symbolic but not physically true.
Anyone know Revelation so well as to answer this?

Thanks

Do you mean Rev 19:16 "He has a name written on his cloak and on his thigh, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords".
I really don't think anybody could possibly construe this to mean Jesus had a tattoo!!

[JimG]

Still, this was an ingenious way to throw his parents off track temporarily. "But Mom, it's in the bible!"

[Gnosis]

However, that law in leviticus obviously no longer applies.

[Piusx]

Thank you all.

I knew I could get a response or responses that were perfect.

I agree with you all and thank you all.

I believe in this philosophy: If you dont know, ask someone. Never be ashamed to ask.

Pius x

[FCEGM]

Originally Posted by Piusx

I was asked if it was true that Christ had a tatoo on his inner thigh.
A lady told me that a teen-ager used this as a justification for getting a tattoo himself. Typical teen.
He told her that it was in Revelation that Jesus had one.
I told her that I did not believe it, but if anyone would know for sure, it would be this forum.
If the teen quoted Revelation, it must be something symbolic but not physically true.
Anyone know Revelation so well as to answer this?

Thanks

From various scripture studies I've done, it seems that the thigh, being close to the loins, was considered a euphemism for the power of the male. When Abraham makes a covenant with the Hittites, and they place their hands on the bottom of each-other's "thighs." But it wasn't really their thighs. This was actually quite common in the ancient world. In fact, our English word "testify" comes from the Latin, and is based on the custom of the Roman Senate, in which one giving "testimony" reached under his toga and grabbed his own testicles - the implication being that the gods should take away his virility if he was not telling the truth.

As for Rev 19:16, it's really hard to say whether male potency (read: power) is being referred to or not. It could be, but in the Semitic usage, it was usually associated with pledging some kind of oath, not with one's name. In other words, it was not necessarily a sign of power. But, then again, John is also writing for a Greco-Roman audience (as well as for a Jewish one), and that could be the concern here, since Mediterranean pagans were very fixated on the phallus as a symbol of power. In Ephesus one can see male organ images on all the ruins. And, since John was writing to Ephesus and the surrounding district of Asia, it would make sense that he would incorporate popular "local concerns."

In any case, using this passage as an excuse for getting a tattoo is definitely a juvenile stretch.

[Maria3m]

Originally Posted by FCEGM

From various scripture studies I've done, it seems that the thigh, being close to the loins, was considered a euphemism for the power of the male. When Abraham makes a covenant with the Hittites, and they place their hands on the bottom of each-other's "thighs." But it wasn't really their thighs. This was actually quite common in the ancient world. In fact, our English word "testify" comes from the Latin, and is based on the custom of the Roman Senate, in which one giving "testimony" reached under his toga and grabbed his own testicles - the implication being that the gods should take away his virility if he was not telling the truth.

As for Rev 19:16, it's really hard to say whether male potency (read: power) is being referred to or not. It could be, but in the Semitic usage, it was usually associated with pledging some kind of oath, not with one's name. In other words, it was not necessarily a sign of power. But, then again, John is also writing for a Greco-Roman audience (as well as for a Jewish one), and that could be the concern here, since Mediterranean pagans were very fixated on the phallus as a symbol of power. In Ephesus one can see male organ images on all the ruins. And, since John was writing to Ephesus and the surrounding district of Asia, it would make sense that he would incorporate popular "local concerns."

In any case, using this passage as an excuse for getting a tattoo is definitely a juvenile stretch.

THIS is a prime example of why I LOVE this forum!!

The things I learn here keep me coming back for more.

[BlestOne]

Originally Posted by Maria3m

THIS is a prime example of why I LOVE this forum!!

The things I learn here keep me coming back for more.

Me Too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahaha I tried many things in my youth but that one is even beyond me! Gotta give the kid credit for getting that one past mom and dad.

[JoeyWarren]

Originally Posted by awalt

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord. (Le 19:28).

Does that mean if you have a pierced ear, your'e in trouble?

[JoeyWarren]

Originally Posted by thistle

Do you mean Rev 19:16 "He has a name written on his cloak and on his thigh, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords". really don't think anybody could possibly construe this to mean Jesus had a tattoo!!

First of all, we have to assume that John saw Jesus garbed as he was when he and others walked the earth. Clothed from neck to foot with one piece of garment, so the thigh is not visible.

[jasm]

My daughter started bugging me about getting a tattoo when she was 16. I of course said absolutley not. The more I said no the more she bugged me about it. One day I told her I had changed my mind and if she wanted one soooo badly....fine. Two little stipulations... 1.)She had to have "I love my mommy" 2.)Tattooed on her forehead. She is now 21 and still tatt free!

[kite]

I seriously doubt that Christ had a Tatt, but also don't see anything wrong with them. The Catechism seems to agree.

[Abitreckless]

Originally Posted by awalt

There isn't anything in Revelation that I have seen mentioning it. I would highly doubt this.

You may want to suggest they read Leviticus 19:28, this seems pretty clear to me:

You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh on account of the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord. (Le 19:28).

"...You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh..."

So does that mean it is a sin to pierce your ears, because you are cutting the flesh?

[Gefra]

I recall being told back in the early 70's that the "White Stone" mentioned in the Message to Pergamum (Rev. 2:17) was LSD.

So let's see, tattoos & acid, go figure. Next thing we know, someone will claim that 1Thessalonians 4:17 teaches a soon coming rapture.