What does the napkin in John 20 represent?

John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Did you ever wonder why the napkin was set apart inside the tomb?  The Bible also provides an answer for this.

Ezekiel 13:18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

Jews adopted a pagan tradition in which napkins were placed upon the face of the dead to capture the souls.   God’s word clearly warned against this practice. Jesus not only defeated death, but superstition.

This is why Jesus gave the command to loose him.

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.

Jesus' empty tomb

Jesus had full control over death, but asked for human intervention when it came to removing the napkin bound around Lazarus‘ face, and the other cloth he was buried in.  This indicates a role people play in the plan of salvation. Paul explains our responsibility.  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). Dividing the word of truth includes separating truth from tradition.  Jesus also warned about this problem.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9).

Jesus can give life, but it is still up to the individual to research, and accept what is truth, and what is tradition.

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