John 19:40. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
This was not embalming according to the Egyptian method, as described in the note on Genesis 50:2-3 (#98). The Jews simply anointed the body, and wrapped it in fine linen, putting spices and ointments in the folds. In our Saviour’s case the operation was not completed, owing to the coming of the Sabbath. As soon as the Sabbath was over the pious women came to complete the work. See Mark 16:1. The use of ointment in burial is referred to in Matthew 26:12; Mark 14:8; John 12:7.
John and Luke are the only evangelists who speak of the ointment and spices at the burial of Christ. See text and Luke 23:56. All four of them, however, mention the linen clothes. See Matthew 27:59; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53; text; and John 20:5-7. These are also named in connection with the burial of Lazarus. See John 11:44. It is there said that he was “bound hand and foot with grave-clothes,” and skeptics have made themselves merry with the absurdity of the story that a man having both feet bound together should be able to “come forth.” That the feet were bound together is, however, a gratuitous assumption. If each leg and each arm were separately swathed in linen bandages the assertion of the evangelist would still be strictly true, for Lazarus would then have been “bound hand and foot,” while at the same time able, at the command of Christ, to move, though not to walk easily.
A “napkin” is also mentioned in connection with the burial of Lazarus. It was bound about his face. See John 11:44. One was also used at the burial of Jesus. See John 20:7. This was a handkerchief which was employed to tie up the chin of a corpse.
Reference to the use of linen bandages in burial is also seen in the account of the burial of Ananias, wherein it is said that “they wound him up.” See Acts 5:6.