John 20:7

7 and the handkerchief which was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a distinct place by itself.

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 stooping down he sees the linen cloths lying; he did not however go in.

6 Simon Peter therefore comes, following him, and entered into the tomb, and sees the linen cloths lying,

7 and the handkerchief which was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a distinct place by itself.

8 Then entered in therefore the other disciple also who came first to the tomb, and he saw and believed;

9 for they had not yet known the scripture, that he must rise from among [the] dead.