ACC ~ John 19 v40

JOHN SPEAKS OF MORE THAN ONE LINEN

AUGUSTINE: For those Evangelists who have left Nicodemus unnoticed have not affirmed that the Lord was buried by Joseph alone, although he is the only one introduced into their records. Neither does the fact that these three are all at one in informing us how the Lord was wrapped in the linen cloth by Joseph, preclude us from entertaining the idea that other linens may have been brought by Nicodemus and added to what was given by Joseph. So John may be perfectly correct in his narrative, especially as what he tells us is that the Lord was wrapped not in a linen cloth but in linen clothes. [1] At the same time, when we take into account the handkerchief that was used for the head and the bandages with which the whole body was wrapped, and consider that all these were made of linen, we can see how, even though there was really but a single linen cloth [of the kind referred to by the first three Evangelists] there, it could still have been stated with the most perfect truth that “they wound him in linen clothes.” For the phrase “linen clothes” is one applied generally to all textures made of flax. HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 3.23.60. [2]

[1] John uses the Greek term othoniois, which the Latin renders linteis. Augustine’s discussion is not intelligible unless this variation is recognized.

[2] NPNF 1 6:209**.

LINEN CLOTH USED IN THE EUCHARIST

BEDE: It has come down as the custom of the church of consecrating the Lord’s body not on silk or gold cloth but in a clean linen cloth. EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 4.15. [1]

[1] CCL 120:638

A CLEAN LINEN CLOTH, A CLEAN LIFE

ORIGEN: If you still live to sin, you cannot be buried with Jesus or laid in his new tomb because your old self still lives and cannot walk in newness of life. Therefore the Holy Spirit was careful to hand down through the Scriptures that it was a new sepulcher in which Jesus was buried and that he was wrapped in a clean linen cloth. He did this so that everyone who wants to be buried with Jesus by baptism might know that nothing of the old state should be brought to the new tomb, nothing of uncleanness to the clean linen cloth. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS 5.8.4. [1]

[1] FC 103:355**; AGBL 33:424.