Pastor and relationship coach Kingsley Okonkwo has defended his position on tattoos, insisting that there is no scripture in the Bible that expressly declares tattoo to be a sin.
Okonkwo, the founder and lead pastor of David Christian Centre, made the remarks while addressing the controversy that followed his decision to get a tattoo bearing a reference to John 3:16.
The tattoo, written in Roman numerals as “III: XVI”, was unveiled earlier this year and sparked mixed reactions, particularly among Christians who questioned whether it was appropriate for a pastor to have body art.
‘Tattoos Have Always Been Part Of Human Culture’
Speaking on the issue, Okonkwo argued that tattoos and other forms of body markings have existed across different cultures and are not peculiar to Nigeria.
“Tattoos have always been part of human culture,” he said, recalling that he grew up seeing older people in Lagos with tattoos.
He also pointed to the existence of tribal marks and other forms of body inscriptions across societies, arguing that the practice should not automatically be associated with wrongdoing.
‘There’s Not Even One Scripture’
The pastor maintained that he had yet to find a biblical passage that explicitly states that having a tattoo is sinful.
“So how can you tell that guy now that, oh, that tattoo is a sin? And there is no scripture,” he said.
“There’s not even one that says tattoo is a sin. So I don’t know where these people got it from.”
Read also: Osuntokun Faults Atiku For Calling Tinubu ‘Bola’
Okonkwo further argued that some Christians were making the issue a matter of personal preference, church tradition or individual conviction rather than a clearly stated biblical doctrine.
Okonkwo Addresses Leviticus 19:28
The pastor also addressed Leviticus 19:28, a passage frequently cited by Christians who oppose tattooing.
The verse warns against making marks on the body and is commonly referenced in debates about tattoos.
However, Okonkwo argued that the passage was referring to practices connected with the dead and should not be interpreted as a blanket prohibition of modern decorative tattoos.
“What it says, I don’t do inscriptions to the dead. It has nothing to do with tattoos,” he said.
He also pointed to the following verse, which contains a prohibition against certain forms of shaving, arguing that Christians who cite the passage against tattoos must also consider its wider cultural and biblical context.
‘Even God Used Tattoo As An Example’
Okonkwo further referred to biblical imagery in which God speaks of inscribing His people on His hands.
“So even God used tattoo as an example. To inscribe. Yes, I inscribed it on my hand,” he said.
According to the pastor, the imagery would have been meaningful to people living in cultures where inscriptions and markings were understood as symbols of remembrance.
He also referred to the Book of Revelation, arguing that it contains imagery of Christ having a name written on His thigh.
He Compares Tattoos With Microblading
The cleric also questioned why some cosmetic practices are accepted by Christians while tattoos are condemned.
“So women do microblading; it’s a form of tattoo,” he said.
Okonkwo argued that practices such as microblading, makeup, wigs and other forms of personal appearance have also faced opposition in some Christian circles at different points in Nigeria’s history.
He recalled that there were periods when some Christians opposed women wearing trousers, using makeup, wearing jeans, using television and even wearing perfumes.
According to him, some of these practices eventually became accepted as Christians challenged the idea that they were inherently incompatible with Christianity.
His Tattoo Bears John 3:16
Okonkwo’s comments come months after his tattoo became a major subject of discussion online.
The tattoo features “III: XVI”, representing John 3:16, one of the Bible’s best-known verses.
He previously said the tattoo was not merely a fashion statement, explaining that the attention surrounding it had also helped spread the gospel online.
