In biblical times, the term "napkin" referred to a piece of cloth used for various purposes, including wrapping, covering, or wiping. The use of napkins is mentioned in several contexts within the Bible, each illustrating different cultural and religious practices of the time.

1. Burial Cloths: One of the most notable mentions of a napkin in the Bible is in the context of burial customs. In the Gospel of John, the resurrection of Jesus is described with specific reference to the grave clothes. 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 rolled up, lying separate from the linen cloths." The "face cloth" or "napkin" here refers to a separate piece of cloth used to cover the face of the deceased, indicating the care and respect given to the body in burial practices.

2. Parable of the Minas: In Luke 19:20 , the term "napkin" is used in the Parable of the 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 "piece of cloth" or "napkin" symbolizes negligence and lack of responsibility, as the servant failed to invest the money wisely. This usage highlights the cultural practice of wrapping valuables in cloth for safekeeping, while also serving as a metaphor for spiritual accountability.

3. Cultural Practices: In the ancient Near East, napkins were commonly used in daily life for practical purposes such as wiping hands and faces during meals. Although not explicitly mentioned in this context in the Bible, the use of cloths for personal hygiene and dining would have been a familiar practice to the people of biblical times.

4. Symbolism and Interpretation: The use of napkins in the Bible often carries symbolic meaning. In the account of Jesus' resurrection, the separate placement of the face cloth signifies the orderly and intentional nature of His resurrection, contrasting with the hurried and chaotic nature of grave robbery. In the Parable of the Minas, the napkin represents missed opportunities and the failure to act on one's responsibilities.

The references to napkins in the Bible, though few, provide insight into the customs and spiritual teachings of the time. They serve as reminders of the importance of respect, responsibility, and the profound significance of Jesus' resurrection.

Epistle Lvi. To John, Bishop.
... Further, what you have written in defence of the use of napkins by your clergy is
strenuously opposed by our own clergy, who say that this has never been ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lvi to john bishop.htm

Epistle Lvii. From John, Bishop of Ravenna to Pope Gregory .
... For with respect to the napkins, the use of which by my presbyters and deacons your
Apostleship alleges to be a presumption, I confess in truth that it irks me ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lvii from john bishop.htm

Of Christian Liberty.
... When a man begins to doubt whether it is lawful for him to use linen for sheets,
shirts, napkins, and handkerchiefs, he will not long be secure as to hemp, and ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of christian liberty.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... the vessels are placed. The "purificators" are small napkins of linen for
cleansing the vessels after the service. The "burse" is ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

John xx. 24, 25
... "Yet," saith some one, "the disciples saw and believed." Yes, but they sought nothing
of the kind, but from the proof of the napkins, they straightway received ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxvii john xx 24.htm

John xx. 10, 11
... Since the mind of the woman was not sufficiently elevated to accept the Resurrection
from the proof of the napkins, something more takes place, she beholdeth ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxvi john xx 10.htm

Epistle Xl. To Eulogius, Bishop.
... sent you, as a small blessing from the Church of Saint Peter who loves you, six
of the smaller sort of Aquitanian cloaks (pallia), and two napkins (oraria); for ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xl to eulogius bishop.htm

Hebrews i. 8-Jun
... What again, tell me; doth it not seem to thee greater to do this by shadows
and napkins, than by a word? Tell me then, which wouldst thou? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iii hebrews i 8-jun.htm

Matt. xxviii. 11-14.
... by the sepulchre. 2. And what mean also the napkins that were stuck on
with the myrrh; for Peter saw these lying. For if they had ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xc matt xxviii 11-14.htm

On Easter
... Take away the linen clothes, I pray; leave the napkins in the tomb: Thou
art sufficient for us, and without Thee there is nothing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/venantius/on easter/on easter.htm

Napkins (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Napkins (1 Occurrence). Acts 19:12 so that even
napkins or aprons were brought from his body and put upon ...
/n/napkins.htm - 6k

Napkin (3 Occurrences)

/n/napkin.htm - 8k

Napthali (1 Occurrence)

/n/napthali.htm - 6k

Linen (111 Occurrences)
... and thread (Ezek. 40:3), napkins (Luke 24:12; John 20:7), turbans (Ezek.
44:18), and lamp-wicks (Isaiah 42:3). (2.) Hebrews buts ...
/l/linen.htm - 50k

Marriagefeasts
... this is repeated when the meal closes, the fingers having first been wiped on pieces
of bread, which, after serving the same purpose as table-napkins with us ...
/m/marriagefeasts.htm - 8k

Marriage-feasts (6 Occurrences)
... this is repeated when the meal closes, the fingers having first been wiped on pieces
of bread, which, after serving the same purpose as table-napkins with us ...
/m/marriage-feasts.htm - 10k

Apron (1 Occurrence)
... round the body and covering the front of the person: "Unto the sick were carried
away from his (Paul's) body handkerchiefs (soudaria, rendered "napkins" Luke 19 ...
/a/apron.htm - 10k

Scythians
... 75); they drank the blood of the first enemy killed in battle, and made napkins
of the scalps and drinking bowls of the skulls of the slain (ibid. 64-65). ...
/s/scythians.htm - 8k

Sweat (3 Occurrences)
... the perspiration. The fashion was derived from Rome, whence the name of
these napkins became soudarion, Latin sudarium. The late ...
/s/sweat.htm - 14k

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