“Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the
linen cloths lying there. The cloth that had been around Jesus’
head was rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed.” John 20:6-8
When we read of Peter and John coming to the Lord’s tomb on Sunday morning, John makes note of an unusual detail. He observes the linen cloths lying in the tomb that were wrapped around the Lord’s body. The he notices a cloth (a soudarion) that had been over the Lord’s face lying separately from the other linen. This cloth
was something like what we call a handkerchief.
This type of cloth is mentioned three other timesin the New Testament. One instance is when the Lord raised Lazarus from the dead. When he came forth from his tomb, his face is wrapped with a soudarion (John 11:44),
The second word John uses to describe the cloth is folded. The Greek word can be translated folded but it can also be translated entwined. It conveys the idea of carefully and deliberately rolling or folding an item.
Around 2007 a story began to be taught that folding a folded napkin at the dinner table is a Jewish custom that has significant meaning. When the person folded the napkin it conveyed a special meaning. The servants would watch carefully and if the master left the table but folded his cloth, thee were to wait, the master would return, This is a great story which thrilled many believers who heard it. The problem is there is no proof that it is based in fact.
What can we learn? As we read this passage we must remember John’s main point. He wants us to “know” that Jesus rose from the dead – He is alive. Remember Mary Magdalene had been to the tomb and saw the stone rolled away. She assumed that some- body has stolen the body of Jesus. (Remember she asked Jesus, thinking He was the gardener, if he had taken the body.) She ran to tell Peter and John what she found and they rush to the grave. They are not thinking resurrection either. When John approaches the tomb, he sees what Mary saw. The stone had been rolled away. What dd that mean? Had the grave been robbed, Jesus body taken? No, the stone had been rolled away not to take the body out but to allow the witnesses in. But how could John be sure of that conclusion? He tells what he witnessed. First, the tomb is empty – there is no dead body lying in the grave.
Second, John sees the linen cloths that had been wrapped around the body of Jesus lying flat. There is no body inside the cloths. Additionally he sees the cloth that is wrapped around the Lord’s head folded or rolled and placed separately from linen cloths that covered the body. (This also tells the Shroud of Turin is not the authentic grave cloth of the Lord since the linen only covered he face not the entire body.)
So what was the major purpose of the face linen separated from the other linens in the grave? John tells us. He had run to the tomb in fear the Lord’s body had been stolen. Instead all the facts led him to understand that the Lord was not there, He arose. He tells us clearly what these facts told him. “So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed.” Believed
what? He is not here, He is risen! Never doubt the miracle God did that day!