John 20:7

7 and the sudarium that was on his head, not laid with the sheets, but by itself wrapped into a place.

John 20:7 Meaning and Commentary

John 20:7

And the napkin that was about his head
The word (soudarion) , rendered "napkin", is thought to be originally Latin, and signifies an handkerchief, with which the sweat is wiped off the face, and so it is used in ( Acts 19:12 ) but Nonnus says it is a common word with the Syrians, and the word (ardwo) is used in the Syriac version; and which he renders, (kefalhv zwsthra) , "the girdle, or binding of the head", for with this the head and face of the dead person were bound; see ( John 11:44 ) . Now Peter, by going into the sepulchre, and looking about him, and examining things more strictly and narrowly, observed that which neither he nor John had taken notice of, when only stooping they looked in: and that is, that this head binder, or napkin, was

not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by
itself:
and was plainly the effect of thought, care, and composure; and clearly showed, that the body was not taken away in a hurry, or by thieves, since everything lay in such order and decency; and which was done, either by our Lord himself, or by the angels.

John 20:7 In-Context

5 And when he stooped, he saw the sheets lying, nevertheless he entered not [in].

6 Therefore Simon Peter came following him, and he entered into the grave, and he saw the sheets laid,

7 and the sudarium that was on his head, not laid with the sheets, but by itself wrapped into a place.

8 Therefore then [and] that disciple that came first to the grave, entered, and saw, and believed.

9 For they knew not yet the scripture, that it behooved him to rise again from death. [+Forsooth they knew not yet the scripture, for it behooved him to rise again from dead.]