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NASB | John 20:7 and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 20:7 and the [burial] face-cloth which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the [other] linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. |
Bible Question: What was the significance of Jesus folding His Kerchief or facecloth? I have heard that it because it was according to Hebrew custom when eating a meal. When the Master of the meal was finished he tossed his napkin on the table to indicate that he was finished so the servants could eat. If he planned to return, he folded his napkin. Does anyone have any other suggestions or can they validate this explanation? |
Bible Answer: Dear Pattycake, Perhaps John, who knew Christ intimately, recognized his Friend's customary morning ritual of folding his sleeping cloth, evidence deliberately placed indicating that He had risen of his own power. Here are other ancient opinions: St. Gregory: "The napkin about our Lord's head is not found with the linen clothes, i.e. God, the Head of Christ, and the incomprehensible mysteries of the Godhead are removed from our poor knowledge; His power transcends the nature of the creature. And it is found not only apart, but also wrapped together; because of the linen wrapped together, neither beginning nor end is seen; and the height of the Divine nature had neither beginning nor end. And it is into one place: for where there is division, God is not; and they merit His grace, who do not occasion scandal by dividing themselves into sects. "But as a napkin is what is used in laboring to wipe the sweat of the brow, by the napkin here we may understand the labor of God: which napkin is found apart, because the suffering of our Redeemer is far removed from ours; inasmuch as He suffered innocently, that which we suffer justly; He submitted Himself to death voluntarily, we by necessity. But after Peter entered, John entered too; for at the end of the world even Judea shall be gathered in to the true faith." St. John Chrysostom: "...and the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Which circumstances were proof of His resurrection. For had they carried Him away, they would not have stripped Him; nor, if any had stolen Him, would they have taken the trouble to wrap up the napkin, and put it in a place by itself, apart from the linen clothes; but would have taken away the body as it was. John mentioned the myrrh first of all, for this reason, i.e. to show you that He could not have been stolen away. For myrrh would make the linen adhere to the body, and so caused trouble to the thieves, and they would never have been so senseless as to have taken this unnecessary pains about the matter." |