Wednesday
01-28-2026
By: Brenda
This is really not a study today but rather a story that honors the beauty of the folded napkin found in the tomb of Jesus.
“The Folded Napkin in the Tomb”
When Peter and John ran to the tomb on resurrection morning, John records a small but striking detail.
John 20:3-7
Peter therefore went out, and the other diciple, and were going to the tomb.
So they both ran together, and the other diciple out ran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.”
This passage of scriptures has stirred hearts for centuries. It does not explain why the head cloth was folded, but the Holy Spirit clearly wanted us to notice it.
Over time, this story has circulated in Christian circles about the meaning of a folded napkin in the Jewish culture.
While this story is not historically verified, it carries a powerful spiritual message that aligns beautifully with the hope of the resurrection of Jesus.
In this story, a Jewish master at the dinner table used his napkin to send a message to the servant.
If the master was finished eating, he would crumple the napkin and toss it on the table. This meant: “I am done. You may clear the table.”
But if the master folded the napkin neatly, it meant: “I am not finished. I am coming back.”
Again, this tradition is not documented in ancient Jewish sources, but the symbolism has encouraged many believers because it beautifully echoes the promise Jesus made at
John 14:3
“I will come again.”
So when we read the story in the Bible where the disciples saw the folded head cloth in the tomb, this invites us to imagine Jesus leaving a quiet message for His followers. Saying,
“This is not the end.
I am not finished.
I am coming back.”
Whether or not the table custom is historically accurate, the truth behind it is absolutely biblical.
Jesus did rise from the dead. Jesus is alive forevermore, and Jesus is returning for His church.
The folded cloth story becomes a symbol of order, intention, and divine purpose.
Nothing about the resurrection was chaotic. Nothing was rushed. Nothing was accidental.
The folded cloth reminds us that Jesus left nothing undone. The work of salvation was complete, deliberate, and victorious.
Jesus rose in peace, not panic. And grave robbers do not fold linens.
But our King, our Savior, our Prince of Peace does.
Jesus is coming again.
The resurrection was not the end of the story.
It is the beginning.
Oh, how God loves us ❤️
Dear Father in heaven,
Thank You for the quiet details You place in Scripture that whisper hope to our hearts.
As we reflect on the folded cloth in the empty tomb, remind us that Jesus finished the work of salvation and that He is coming again.
Let the resurrection of Your Son, breathe courage, peace, and purpose into our day.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Have a blessed day
God loves you ❤️
and so do I ❤️