Grave-clothes refer to the linen wrappings or cloths used in ancient Jewish burial practices to prepare a body for interment. These garments are mentioned in several key biblical passages, providing insight into the customs and beliefs surrounding death and resurrection during biblical times.

Biblical References:

1. Lazarus' Resurrection: One of the most notable mentions of grave-clothes is found in the account of Lazarus' resurrection in the Gospel of John. After Jesus calls Lazarus forth from the tomb, the text states, "The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. 'Unwrap him and let him go,' Jesus told them" (John 11:44). This passage highlights the traditional use of linen strips to bind the body, as well as a separate cloth for the face, indicating a careful and respectful preparation of the deceased.

2. Jesus' Burial: The burial of Jesus also provides significant details about the use of grave-clothes. After His crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took Jesus' body and "wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom" (John 19:40). This practice underscores the importance of honoring the body with proper burial rites, which included the use of linen and aromatic spices.

3. The Empty Tomb: The discovery of the empty tomb further emphasizes the significance of grave-clothes in the resurrection narrative. When Peter and the other disciple entered the tomb, they "saw the linen cloths lying there" (John 20:6). The presence of the grave-clothes, left behind in an orderly fashion, served as a powerful testament to the resurrection of Jesus, as the body was no longer present, yet the wrappings remained.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In Jewish tradition, the preparation of a body for burial was an act of great reverence and care. The use of linen, a material often associated with purity and holiness, reflects the belief in the sanctity of the human body, even in death. The wrapping of the body in grave-clothes was not only a practical measure to protect and preserve the body but also a symbolic act, signifying the hope of resurrection and eternal life.

Theologically, the grave-clothes in the New Testament narratives serve as a profound symbol of the transition from death to life. In the case of Lazarus, the removal of the grave-clothes signifies liberation from the bonds of death, while in the resurrection of Jesus, the abandoned grave-clothes testify to His victory over death and the promise of new life for all believers.

Conclusion:

Grave-clothes, as depicted in the Bible, are more than mere burial garments; they are rich in symbolic meaning and theological significance. They reflect the customs of the time, the respect for the deceased, and the profound hope in the resurrection, which is central to the Christian faith.2750. keiria -- a bandage, grave-clothes
... clothes. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a bandage, grave-clothes
NASB Word Usage wrappings (1). graveclothes. Of uncertain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2750.htm - 6k

The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin
... When the light of the torches shone into the coffin, they saw with awe and amazement
the grave-clothes lying before them still wrapped round as before, but ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xix the burial and assumption.htm

John xi. 30, 31
... with life, would much more by that same voice have been able to move a stone; He
who empowered by His voice one bound and entangled in the grave-clothes to walk ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxiii john xi 30.htm

"Why Weepest Thou?"
... Yet even here was testimony that He had risen. The graveclothes were not thrown
heedlessly aside, but carefully folded, each in a place by itself. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 82 why weepest thou.htm

The Tomb of Jesus
... We see the grave, but do you notice the grave-clothes, all wrapped and laid
in their places, the napkin being folded up by itself? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the tomb of jesus.htm

Matt. viii. 14
... nor lies in a coffin, nor hath closed his eyes, nor is bound in graveclothes. ... for
then thou shalt see him lying as in a tomb, and bound in his grave clothes. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxvii matt viii 14.htm

The Resurrection.
... John does not say he saw the Lord: he tells us merely of two fishermen running;
of solid, commonplace articles such as grave-clothes; and of observations that ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxii the resurrection.htm

The Open Grave at Bethany
... forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:
and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the open grave at bethany.htm

The Seventh Miracle in John's Gospel --The Raising of Lazarus
... he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his ... the
Evangelist, we have the picture of the man with the graveclothes wrapped about ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the seventh miracle in johns.htm

Spiritual Resurrection
... Note, she has no grave clothes on her yet; she is dressed in her own raiment; just
as she retired to her bed a little sick, so lieth she there; not yet have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/spiritual resurrection.htm

Choked Channels.
... the simple record runs, "He that was dead""life comes between those two lines of
the record""came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes, and his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/choked channels.htm

Graveclothes (1 Occurrence)
...Graveclothes (1 Occurrence). John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand
and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. ...
/g/graveclothes.htm - 6k

Grave-clothes (1 Occurrence)
Grave-clothes. Graveclothes, Grave-clothes. Graved . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV WBS YLT). Graveclothes, Grave-clothes. Graved . Reference Bible.
/g/grave-clothes.htm - 6k

Grave (128 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with
graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. ...
/g/grave.htm - 37k

Visage (4 Occurrences)
... John 11:44 and he who died came forth, being bound feet and hands with grave-clothes,
and his visage with a napkin was bound about; Jesus saith to them, 'Loose ...
/v/visage.htm - 7k

Napkin (3 Occurrences)
... John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with
graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus ...
/n/napkin.htm - 8k

Graved (5 Occurrences)

/g/graved.htm - 8k

Loose (219 Occurrences)
... John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with
graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus ...
/l/loose.htm - 38k

Died (348 Occurrences)
... John 11:44 and he who died came forth, being bound feet and hands with grave-clothes,
and his visage with a napkin was bound about; Jesus saith to them, 'Loose ...
/d/died.htm - 34k

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)
... Besides, the position of the grave-clothes proves the impossibility of the theft
of the body (see Greek of John 20:6, 7; John 11:44; Grimley, Temple of Humanity ...
/b/borrowing.htm - 52k

Resurrection (42 Occurrences)
... came by night and stole him away while we slept," Matthew Henry in his "Commentary,"
under John 20:1-10, fittingly remarks, "The grave-clothes in which Christ ...
/r/resurrection.htm - 93k

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