4676. soudarion
Lexical Summary
soudarion: Handkerchief, face cloth, napkin

Original Word: σουδάριον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: soudarion
Pronunciation: soo-dar'-ee-on
Phonetic Spelling: (soo-dar'-ee-on)
KJV: handkerchief, napkin
NASB: cloth, face-cloth, handkerchief, handkerchiefs
Word Origin: [of Latin origin]

1. a sudarium (sweat-cloth), i.e. towel (for wiping the perspiration from the face, or binding the face of a corpse)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
handkerchief, napkin.

Of Latin origin; a sudarium (sweat-cloth), i.e. Towel (for wiping the perspiration from the face, or binding the face of a corpse) -- handkerchief, napkin.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of Latin origin
Definition
a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead)
NASB Translation
cloth (1), face-cloth (1), handkerchief (1), handkerchiefs (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4676: σουδάριον

σουδάριον, σουδαριου, τό (a Latin word,sudarium, from sudor, sweat; cf. Buttmann, 18 (16)), a handkerchief, i. e. a cloth for wiping the perspiration from the face and for cleaning the nose: Luke 19:20; Acts 19:12; also used in swathing the head of a corpse (A. V. napkin), John 11:44; John 20:7. (Cf. BB. DD., under the word .)

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Everyday Use in the First Century

The word denotes a small linen cloth normally employed to wipe perspiration from the face, cover the head, or bind a corpse. In the Greco-Roman world such cloths were common among laborers and travelers, while in Jewish burial custom they served as part of the wrappings that honored the deceased.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Luke 19:20 – the servant hides his master’s mina “in a piece of cloth.”
2. John 11:44 – Lazarus comes forth, “his face wrapped with a cloth.”
3. John 20:7 – the cloth that had covered the Lord’s head lies folded apart in the empty tomb.
4. Acts 19:12 – handkerchiefs from Paul’s body are carried to the sick, bringing healing and deliverance.

These four scenes span parable, miracle, resurrection, and apostolic ministry, demonstrating the breadth of the Spirit’s work through ordinary objects.

Symbolism in Burial Narratives

In John 11:44 the cloth binding Lazarus’ face testifies that his resurrection is genuine; he is still wrapped as a corpse when life is restored. The removal of the cloth signals full liberation from death’s grip.

At the empty tomb (John 20:7) the carefully folded cloth underscores divine order and intentionality; the Lord’s body was not stolen. The separation of the head-cloth from the other linens speaks of completion—death’s trappings are set aside, never to be needed again.

Role in Apostolic Healing Ministry

Acts 19:12 records an extraordinary extension of Paul’s ministry: “even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his body were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them and evil spirits departed.” The cloths themselves possessed no inherent power; rather, God honored faith in the risen Christ by granting healing through secondary means. The episode echoes the hem of Jesus’ garment (Matthew 9:20-22) and Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15), underlining that the Lord remains the true healer.

Parabolic Illustration of Stewardship

In Luke 19:20 the servant’s concealment of the mina in a cloth depicts neglectful stewardship. What was meant to be invested is immobilized. The cloth that could serve constructive, even life-giving purposes in other contexts becomes an emblem of wasted opportunity. The same object that carries blessing in Acts 19 becomes a symbol of unfaithfulness when misused.

Theological Reflections

• God works through the ordinary. A simple handkerchief can mediate deliverance or condemn idleness, depending on the heart that wields it.
• Resurrection transforms physical realities. Burial cloths that once testified to death become silent witnesses of victory.
• Divine order accompanies divine power. The folded cloth in the tomb reassures believers of the reliability and intentionality of God’s redemptive plan.

Practical Applications for Believers Today

1. Offer everyday resources to God; He can employ the commonplace for kingdom purposes.
2. Labor faithfully with the gifts entrusted, refusing to “wrap them in a cloth.”
3. Live in the liberty signified by the discarded grave-cloths—sin and death no longer hold dominion.
4. Maintain confidence that Scripture’s details, however small, harmonize to confirm the trustworthiness of the gospel message.

Forms and Transliterations
σουδαρια σουδάρια σουδαριον σουδάριον σουδαριω σουδαρίω σουδαρίῳ soudaria soudária soudario soudariō soudaríoi soudaríōi soudarion soudárion
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Englishman's Concordance
Luke 19:20 N-DNS
GRK: ἀποκειμένην ἐν σουδαρίῳ
NAS: I kept put away in a handkerchief;
KJV: kept laid up in a napkin:
INT: laid up in a handkerchief

John 11:44 N-DNS
GRK: ὄψις αὐτοῦ σουδαρίῳ περιεδέδετο λέγει
NAS: was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus
KJV: was bound about with a napkin. Jesus
INT: face of him with a handkerchief bound about says

John 20:7 N-ANS
GRK: καὶ τὸ σουδάριον ὃ ἦν
NAS: and the face-cloth which had been
KJV: And the napkin, that was
INT: and the handkerchief which was

Acts 19:12 N-ANP
GRK: χρωτὸς αὐτοῦ σουδάρια ἢ σιμικίνθια
NAS: so that handkerchiefs or aprons
KJV: unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons,
INT: skin of him hankerchiefs or aprons

Strong's Greek 4676
4 Occurrences


σουδάρια — 1 Occ.
σουδαρίῳ — 2 Occ.
σουδάριον — 1 Occ.

4675
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