In biblical times, the act of unrolling was primarily associated with the handling of scrolls, which were the primary medium for written texts, including the Scriptures. Scrolls were made from papyrus or parchment and were rolled up for storage and protection. The process of unrolling a scroll was a significant act, often associated with the public reading of Scripture, teaching, and the revelation of divine truth.

Scriptural Context

One of the most notable instances of unrolling a scroll in the Bible is found in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth. Luke 4:16-20 describes this event: "He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.' Then He rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him."

This passage highlights the significance of unrolling a scroll as an act of revealing and proclaiming God's Word. Jesus' choice to read from Isaiah was a deliberate act to announce His messianic mission, fulfilling the prophecy in the hearing of those present.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In Jewish tradition, the unrolling of the Torah scroll during synagogue services is a moment of reverence and solemnity. The scroll is treated with great respect, and the act of unrolling it is often accompanied by blessings and prayers. This practice underscores the sacredness of the Scriptures and the importance of their public reading and interpretation.

The Apostle Paul also alludes to the concept of unrolling in a metaphorical sense. In 2 Corinthians 3:14 , he writes, "But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed." Here, Paul contrasts the veiled understanding of the old covenant with the unveiled revelation found in Christ, suggesting that the true meaning of Scripture is fully unrolled and revealed in Jesus.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The act of unrolling a scroll can symbolize the unfolding of God's plan and the revelation of His will to humanity. It represents the transition from hidden to revealed truth, from mystery to understanding. In the context of biblical prophecy, unrolling signifies the progressive revelation of God's redemptive purposes throughout history.

Theologically, unrolling can also be seen as an invitation to engage with Scripture actively. Just as a scroll must be unrolled to be read, believers are called to delve into the Word of God, seeking understanding and application in their lives. The unrolling of Scripture is a dynamic process, inviting continuous exploration and discovery of divine truth.

Conclusion

The concept of unrolling in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing the physical act of handling sacred texts, the cultural practices surrounding their use, and the deeper spiritual implications of revealing God's Word. Whether in the synagogue of Nazareth or in the hearts of believers today, unrolling remains a powerful symbol of the accessibility and transformative power of Scripture.

Peter Commits Perjury.
... to answer; what does the holy law say of him who is guilty of disobedience to the
authorities appointed by God?" Then stood up Josue, and unrolling the book of ...
/.../stead/king of the jews/chapter v peter commits perjury.htm

Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord.
... Thessalonians. [2518] Professor Hall now prefers to render ekpetaseos,
"outspreading," instead of "unrolling," as in his version originally. ...
/.../the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter xvi watchfulness the coming.htm

Jesus visits his Old Home
... the lesson. And he was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and on
unrolling it he found the place where it is written: "The ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus visits his old home.htm

The First Galilean Ministry.
... When unrolling, and holding the scroll, much more than the sixty-first
chapter of Isaiah must have been within range of His eyes. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first galilean.htm

Seventh Tractate. Is There an Ideal Archetype of Particular Beings ...
... regard to Quantity, each thing has its distinct Reason-Principle: if there is a
measured system the Quantity has been determined by the unrolling and unfolding ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/seventh tractate is there an.htm

Literary Expressions
... A sweet, quiet, sacred, stately seclusion. A swift knowledge came to her. A swift
unformulated fear. A swiftly unrolling panorama of dreams. A tangle of ugly words ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

The Eternal Revolution
... Evolution is a metaphor from mere automatic unrolling. Progress is a metaphor
from merely walking along a road"very likely the wrong road. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/vii the eternal revolution.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... They crossed their hands on their breasts, folded them, and then extended them.
Mary read from a scroll lying before her, unrolling it as she read. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... Kenkenes took the scroll thrust toward him, and ripped off the linen wrapping.
Unrolling the writing he extended it to the king. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm

The Temptation of Jesus
... at such a moment. The past, the present, and the future must have been
open before Him like a map unrolling. Shall we venture to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the temptation of.htm

Unrolling (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unrolling (1 Occurrence). Luke 4:17 The book of
the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book ...
/u/unrolling.htm - 6k

Unruly (8 Occurrences)

/u/unruly.htm - 9k

Unrolled (2 Occurrences)

/u/unrolled.htm - 6k

What are some exciting discoveries in biblical archaeology? | GotQuestions.org

Unrolling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus