In biblical times, the term "napkin" referred to a piece of cloth used for various purposes, including wrapping or covering objects. The word appears in several contexts within the Bible, each illustrating different cultural and spiritual significances.

1. Burial Cloths: One of the most notable mentions of a napkin is in the context of burial customs. In the Gospel of John, the term is used to describe the cloth that covered Jesus' face in the tomb. John 20:6-7 states, "Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The face cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was not lying with the linen cloths, but was folded up in a separate place by itself." This detail is significant as it indicates the orderly and intentional nature of Jesus' resurrection, contrasting with the hurried and chaotic nature of grave robbery, which was a concern at the time.

2. Parable of the Ten Minas: In Luke 19:20 , the term "napkin" is used in the Parable of the Ten Minas. The servant who hid his master's money says, "Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth.'" The napkin here symbolizes negligence and lack of responsibility, as the servant failed to invest or use the resources entrusted to him. This parable underscores the importance of stewardship and the expectation that believers actively use their God-given gifts and resources for His kingdom.

3. Cultural Practices: In the ancient Near East, napkins or similar cloths were commonly used in dining settings, much like today. They served practical purposes such as wiping hands and faces during meals. While the Bible does not explicitly describe these practices, understanding the cultural context helps illuminate the everyday life of biblical times.

4. Symbolism and Interpretation: The use of a napkin in biblical narratives often carries deeper symbolic meanings. In the case of Jesus' burial cloth, the folded napkin can be seen as a sign of His victory over death and the promise of new life. In the parable, the napkin represents missed opportunities and the consequences of inaction.

The references to napkins in the Bible, though few, provide insight into both the cultural practices of the time and the spiritual lessons conveyed through these narratives. They remind believers of the importance of order, responsibility, and the hope found in the resurrection of Christ.(Gr. soudarion, John 11:44; 20:7; Lat. sudarium, a "sweat-cloth"), a cloth for wiping the sweat from the face. But the word is used of a wrapper to fold money in (Luke 19:20), and as an article of dress, a "handkerchief" worn on the head (Acts 19:12). 1. (n.) A little towel, or small cloth, esp. one for wiping the fingers and mouth at table.

2. (n.) A handkerchief.

NAPKIN

nap'-kin (soudarion; Latin sudarium): In Luke 19:20, the cloth in which the "unprofitable servant" wrapped the money of his lord; compare John 11:44; John 20:7; see DRESS, sec. 7; HANDKERCHIEF.

4676. soudarion -- a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead)
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: soudarion Phonetic Spelling:
(soo-dar'-ee-on) Short Definition: a handkerchief Definition: a handkerchief, napkin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4676.htm - 6k

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

That the Mind of those who Wish for Pre-Eminence for the Most Part ...
... As to the former, let him beware lest, if he refuses altogether, he be as one who
binds up in a napkin the money which he has received, and be judged for ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter ix that the mind.htm

A Terrible Dream
... He was wrapped up in a loose sheet, and had a napkin folded like a nightcap
on his head. He looked at me very earnestly and, lifting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/a terrible dream.htm

The Jew Continues his Address to those of his Countrymen who are ...
... Rhampsinitus [3336] in Egypt (the latter of whom, they say, played at dice with
Demeter in Hades, and returned to the upper world with a golden napkin which he ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lv the jew continues.htm

The Resurrection.
... Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and
he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was upon His head ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxii the resurrection.htm

Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life
... He was really dead, and in the grave he wore all the marks of decease: a napkin
was bound about his head, and the linen clothes enrapped his limbs. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/christs resurrection and our newness.htm

Grieving the Spirit
... It depends on us whether we wrap it in a napkin, and stow it away underground
somewhere, or whether we use it, and fructify and increase it. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/grieving the spirit.htm

Angels Announce the Resurrection to Certain Women. Peter and John ...
... and entered into the tomb; ^c and stooping and looking in, he seeth ^d and he beholdeth
the linen cloths lying; ^c by themselves; ^d 7 and the napkin, that was ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiv angels announce the resurrection.htm

The Life of Mr. Walter Smith.
... After the napkin was drawn over his face, he uncovered it again, and said, I have
one word more to say, and that is, to all who have any love to God and his ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr walter 2.htm

The Resurrection Morning
... Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the
linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with ...
/.../the resurrection morning.htm

Napkin (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A handkerchief. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NAPKIN. ... 7;
HANDKERCHIEF. Multi-Version Concordance Napkin (3 Occurrences). ...
/n/napkin.htm - 8k

Burial (25 Occurrences)
... eyes"). The mouth, too, is closed and the jaws are bound up (compare John
11:44, "and his face was bound about with a napkin"). The ...
/b/burial.htm - 42k

Clothes (208 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS YLT). 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. ...
/c/clothes.htm - 37k

Handkerchief (3 Occurrences)
... The Greek word (sudarion) so rendered means properly "a sweat-cloth." It is rendered
"napkin" in John 11:44; 20:7; Luke 19:20. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/h/handkerchief.htm - 8k

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

Napkins (1 Occurrence)

/n/napkins.htm - 6k

Naphtuhites (2 Occurrences)

/n/naphtuhites.htm - 6k

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 (1 Occurrence). John 11:44 He that was dead came forth, bound hand
and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. ...
/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

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