What Jehovah’s Witnesses teach
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Bible’s prohibition against the consumption of blood also applies to blood transfusions. They interpret this as a parallel to eating blood, as both involve the blood being supplied to the body. This view is based mainly on three biblical scriptures:
- For example, Genesis 9:4, where God instructs Noah and his descendants not to eat meat with the blood in it, because the blood represents life.
- See Leviticus 17:10–14, which links the sacredness of blood to its use for atonement on the altar.
- Acts 15:28-29, where the early Christians are instructed to abstain from blood.
Jehovah’s Witnesses view blood transfusions as a serious violation of God’s law. They believe that even in medical emergencies, obedience to God must be prioritized over physical life.
Update, September 18, 2026: After this article was published, Jehovah’s Witnesses changed their teaching. It is now up to each Jehovah’s Witness to decide whether to accept red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, or platelets from another person. The same applies to whether blood may be donated for use by others in the form of components or fractions. The prohibition on transfusions and donations of whole blood remains in place.
What the Bible says
“Acts 15:20, 29 instructs Christians to ‘abstain … from blood’ and to ‘keep abstaining … from blood.’ The earlier commands concerning blood are found in Genesis 9:4 and Leviticus 17:10–14 and concern eating blood. None of these passages mentions the medical use of blood or states that receiving a blood transfusion is the same as eating blood.”
“Jesus pointed out in Matthew 12:1–12 that the Pharisees had interpreted the Sabbath law rigidly and without mercy.” Likewise, the prohibition against eating blood is meant to express respect for the sanctity of life, not to prevent the saving of life. If a person dies because you make your own rules that prohibit the medical use of blood, you show disrespect for the sanctity of life and misunderstand the purpose of the injunction.
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