Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this.
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes, but was neatly folded and placed where Jesus had lain.
I read an account that says when the master of a house got up from the dinner table, if he just discarded his napkin it meant he was finished and the servants could begin cleaning up, but if he folded his napkin it meant he was coming back to the table.
This account says that by folding His burial cloth Jesus was saying He was coming back. It this true?
There are many stories that pop up from time to time in support of the Lord’s return. It’s hard to say whether they all actually originated with the culture of the Lord’s day or are just legends that have evolved over time.
But we don’t really need this kind of thing to prove that the Lord will return. There are over 500 prophecies of the 2nd coming in the Bible, and we know that they will all be fulfilled.
As for the folded cloth, no one knows for sure. The Lord could have done it to show that His body had not been stolen, as some officials would later claim. Thieves would not take the time to fold His burial cloth.