John 20:7. Why did Jesus fold the burial cloth after His resurrection? Is it important??? You bet it is.?

Question

The Gospel of John tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Is that important? You’d better believe it! Is that significant? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do w/ the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m done”. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it aside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, “I’m not finished yet.” The folded napkin meant, “I’m coming back!”

Answer 1

Thanks for sharing this information. The Bible is so dynamic. One verse touches on so much.

God bless!

Answer 2

You said it yourself, that encounter a decade ago of Cena shaking Undertaker's hand was pretty significant. Though, that can't certainly be the only reason why the match is "destined" to happen. We all consider Cena as the top guy in the company. That is universally accepted and true. I clearly recognize the guy's uniqueness in the company, being able to handle ANY crowd, and always being able to get a reaction. Undertaker has done that as well. Cena has been here young and strong for a decade, and he really still is aside from minor injuries. The guy is controversially at his prime, some may say years ago, some may say years to come. When any superstar is in such a position, you know he's special. Finally, Cena doesn't lose cleanly. Only rarely. Same applies to Undertaker, especially at WrestleMania, of course. Cena's gimmick is plain and simple- never give up. The classic moral we find in nearly every story, never ever give up. Being applied to the wrestling world of course made it seem idealistic and unreal, in the sense that only superheroes can obtain that gimmick and make it work. Nobody else had this gimmick and been able to work it as finely as Cena. Except for Undertaker. Put these two megastars in the main event at Mania, and you're calling for a very unpredictable anything goes match. This is the one match people are completely scared of, and this is why it must happen. The IWC can ***** all they want about Cena potentially ruining the streak, but that's the whole ******* point. These type of matches are best when nobody but the two wrestlers and Vince know the outcome. Bleacher Report will rehash rumor and speculation articles for months, and not a single one of these articles will provide a solid, definite proof that either one will win. Punk vs Taker was very obvious. This match won't be. Considering also how Undertaker and Cena are the best at "sudden kick outs", this is a match where everybody will be on the edge of their seat. I expect great things from this match which I feel very certain to happen. And if this turns into an I quit match, well, I'll let somebody else explain it since that's a whole another level of surprise.

Answer 3

Nice story but I dont know where it says it was folded neatly. Sounds like a preacher trying to prove his knowledge of Jewish tradition. The verse says it was wraped together away from the other linen. Thats a long way from folded neatly in the corner.

Answer 4

Ok, interesting. I thought they didn't have napkins in first century Judea? I thought that was the whole point of the rich people throwing their bread to the dogs - because they used pita bread to wipe their hands and face; they had so much food that they had food they didn't even eat.

I like your symbolism though.

Peace to you.

Answer 5

This napkin also discredits the Shroud of Turin as Jesus' burial cloth.

Answer 6

Could be he was just being polite.

The Bible is loaded with lessons; the Bible was meant to teach those followers such as yourself to clean up after yourself- don't ask someone to do your work for you.

The late great JC was a kind and considerate guy, but no more special then you or I could be, after all aren't we all children of god? Isn't he suppose to love us all as his children? Why send down his son? Why not just send down another son? Are you to daft to understand that JC was here as a teacher? Teach you tolerance for everyone your failing might have prejudice against (say gays, non Christens, non white nationalities, etc), and a load of other stuff.

Learn something mortal from the napkin and clean up after yourself.

Answer 7

Wow.

I did not know this.

Thank you for educating me!!

*folding my napkin*

Answer 8

Wow. That's a really interesting tidbit of info. I'll have to research that a bit.

Answer 9

Awesome! Thank you for this information.
I always thought it was just a clue that the body wasn't stolen in haste or that the angels folded it for him..

Answer 10

Actually, that was just a napkin. Don't read too much into it.