Topical Bible: Face-cloth

◄ Face-cloth ►

Jump to: Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the face-cloth, also known as a napkin or handkerchief, was a piece of cloth used for various purposes, including covering the face of the deceased. This practice is evident in several passages of Scripture, where the face-cloth plays a significant role in burial customs and the resurrection narrative of Jesus Christ.

Biblical References:

1. John 11:44 · The face-cloth is mentioned in the account of Lazarus's resurrection. After Jesus commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb, the text states, "The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unwrap him and let him go.'" . This indicates that the face-cloth was part of the traditional Jewish burial attire, used to cover the face of the deceased.

2. John 20:6-7 · The face-cloth is also noted in the resurrection account of Jesus. When Peter and the other disciple entered the tomb, they observed the linen cloths lying there, "and the face-cloth that had been around Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself" . The separate and neatly folded face-cloth is often interpreted as a sign of the orderly and intentional nature of Jesus' resurrection, contrasting with the hurried and chaotic removal of a body by grave robbers.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In Jewish burial customs, the face-cloth was an essential part of the preparation of the body for burial. The deceased would be wrapped in linen cloths, with a separate cloth used to cover the face. This practice was rooted in the desire to show respect and honor to the deceased, ensuring that the body was treated with dignity.

The mention of the face-cloth in the resurrection narratives underscores the authenticity and historical reliability of the Gospel accounts. The specific detail of the face-cloth being folded separately in Jesus' tomb is seen by many scholars and theologians as an indication of the eyewitness nature of the Gospel of John.

Theological Significance:

The face-cloth holds theological significance in the context of the resurrection. The detail of the face-cloth being folded and set apart in Jesus' tomb is often interpreted as a symbol of the completed work of Christ. Just as a servant would fold a napkin to signal to the master that the task was finished, the folded face-cloth in the tomb signifies that Jesus' work of redemption was accomplished.

Furthermore, the face-cloth serves as a testament to the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection. The empty tomb, with its carefully arranged burial cloths, provides evidence that Jesus rose bodily from the dead, affirming the Christian hope in the resurrection and eternal life.

Conclusion:

The face-cloth, while a seemingly minor detail, carries profound implications within the biblical narrative. It reflects the cultural practices of the time, provides evidence for the resurrection, and symbolizes the fulfillment of Jesus' redemptive mission. Through these scriptural accounts, the face-cloth becomes a powerful testament to the truth of the Gospel and the hope of resurrection for all believers.

Greek

4676. soudarion -- a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead)
... Word Origin of Latin origin Definition a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead)
NASB Word Usage cloth (1), face-cloth (1), handkerchief (1), handkerchiefs (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4676.htm - 6k

Thesaurus

Face-cloth (1 Occurrence)
Face-cloth. Face-bones, Face-cloth. Faced . Multi-Version Concordance
Face-cloth (1 Occurrence). John 20:7 and the cloth ...
/f/face-cloth.htm - 6k

Faced (32 Occurrences)

/f/faced.htm - 15k

Face-bones (1 Occurrence)
Face-bones. Face, Face-bones. Face-cloth . Multi-Version Concordance Face-bones
(1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). Face, Face-bones. Face-cloth . Reference Bible.
/f/face-bones.htm - 6k