And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

JOHN 20:7KJV
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John 20:7 (KJV)

What does John 20:7 mean?

John 20:7 describes how the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head was not lying with the other linen burial cloths, but was folded up separately in its own place in the tomb. This detail is noticed by those who come to the tomb and see the grave clothes after Jesus’ resurrection.

In this scene, Mary Magdalene, Peter, and another disciple have come to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. The verse points out that the head cloth was not just tossed aside, but carefully placed apart from the other linens. This small detail adds to the sense that something intentional and orderly has happened, rather than a hurried removal or theft of the body.

The Greek behind John 20:7

  • "napkin" (σουδάριον, soudarion): This word refers to a cloth, often used for the head or face, here describing the piece that had been around Jesus’ head. Its mention highlights the care taken in burial customs.
  • "wrapped together" (ἐντετυλιγμένον, entetyligmenon): The Greek carries the sense of something rolled or folded up, not just left crumpled. This suggests order and deliberateness in how the cloth was left.
  • "in a place by itself" (εἰς ἕνα τόπον χωρὶς, eis hena topon chōris): This phrase means the head cloth was set apart, in a specific spot, separate from the other linen wrappings. The separation is emphasized, hinting at purposeful arrangement.

Why John 20:7 matters

  • John 20:7 clears up the idea that Jesus’ body was stolen in haste, since grave robbers would not have taken the time to neatly fold and set aside the head cloth.
  • The verse emphasizes the intentionality and orderliness in the scene, supporting the claim that Jesus’ resurrection was not a chaotic event.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage by providing physical evidence for the disciples to consider, helping them realize that something extraordinary has happened.

Where else these words appear

“together” Greek G1794 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
  • Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

“napkin” Greek G4676 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
  • John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
  • Acts 19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

“clothes” Greek G3608 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
  • John 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
  • John 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

“lying” Greek G2749 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
  • John 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.