Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning,while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!' Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.
Is that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers and mouth with that napkin and toss it on to the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done.' But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, 'I'm not finished yet.'
I found you while searching for the validity of this 'new' explanation of the 'folded linen'. Do you know how to verify the truth of the tradition since no one seems to have ever heard of it? Ever site I look at seems to have just posted it in 2008 and Truth or Fiction (which I do not base my Biblcal study on, but has come to be reliable) calls it Fiction by word of an Orthodox Jewish friend of the web site. If you have any way to verify, that would be helpful.
Hi! My name is Deborah, and I want to thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to visit Home For Him. I hope in some small way that you find encouragement and ideas for not only your homeschooling experience, but also your walk with God. I live in Kentucky with my Honey of 17 years, our three adventureous kids, and our small zoo of two dogs, a cat, a bird and three reptiles. Together, we have a heart for serving, and a love for studying God's Word and learning about His creation. Welcome to our world!
The Serious and Organized One ~ "Bri Guy" likes to read, play soccer, listen to music, build bionicles, collect pocketknives, hang out with friends, go to CBS, and be with family.
The Creative Dreamer ~ "Sissy Lou" likes to write on her blog, love on her pets, rides horses, scrapbook, read, play soccer, be with her girlfriends, and study the Bible.
The Extreme Goof ~ "Con Man" likes to do math, play football and soccer, snowboard, make people laugh, build bionicles, play with his dogs, play with friends, build forts, and go to small group at church.
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Anonymous 
April 19, 2008 - WoW!
Jenny