Musing – Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

 

Hebraic Musing – Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Originally published 12 years ago (in 2010) as an “Hebraic Insight”

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?  Peter ran into the tomb and “He saw the strips of linen lying there,  as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.” John 20:6-7 NIV   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.  Was that important?  Absolutely!  Is it really significant? Yes!

I have learned that the bible is very well written and every word or point is there for a reason.  John documented an observation when he outran Peter and looked into the tomb.  Upon first reading John’s account, I initially thought of this as evidence that Jesus could not have somehow survived and struggled to get out of the tomb; in that case, he would not have spent time and energy to neatly ‘fold’ the cloth.

When one finishes their meal at a restaurant we typically scrunch up the napkin and leave it casually on the table.  We learned of an Eastern custom since biblical times.  When you really enjoyed the meal, it is customary to neatly fold the napkin/cloth and place it on the table to say “I enjoyed the meal” and therefore “I will return.”

Recently we heard a similar explanation, more to do with the origin of the custom of the folded napkin and understand the Hebrew tradition of that day.  The folded napkin had to do with 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.  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 finished."

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because ... the folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back." 

All three explanations preach!    Even the smallest mentions in the bible are there for a reason.

Points to ponder

Does this make you want to read your Bible more carefully?

Do you think the author of God’s Word might have inserted that purposely?

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’” John 15:28

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   September 13, 2022
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com