ὀθόνιον (othonion)
othonion
bandages
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun othonion refers to strips or pieces of fine linen cloth used for wrapping. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ burial and resurrection, describing the linens left behind in the tomb. The word denotes a specific type of textile—likely narrow bands rather than a full shroud—used to bind the body.
Its usage carries significant narrative weight. In John 19:40, the disciples wrap Jesus’ body with spices and these linen strips according to Jewish burial customs. Later, in John 20:5-7, the empty tomb reveals the othonia lying neatly in place, separate from the face cloth. This detail underscores the reality of the physical resurrection: the body was gone, but the wrappings remained, suggesting a departure that left the grave clothes undisturbed.
Etymologically, it is a diminutive form related to general linen (oinos), emphasizing the fine quality and small size of the strips. The term appears five times across Luke and John, anchoring the resurrection story in tangible, material evidence. Translators typically render it as "linen cloths" or "grave clothes," capturing its function as a burial garment rather than everyday attire.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word othonion refers to the narrow strips of fine linen used to wrap Jesus’ body for burial. In John 19:40, these cloths are placed with spices, following Jewish custom. This detail grounds the story in physical reality, showing that Jesus truly died and was buried as any person would be.
When the women return on Sunday morning, they find the tomb empty but the othonia still lying there (John 20:5-7). The fact that the strips remained suggests a departure that did not involve unwrapping or theft. For believers, this offers comfort: the resurrection was a physical event, witnessed by tangible evidence left behind in the dust.
This word reminds us that God works through real history and material things. The empty tomb is not just a metaphor; it is a historical claim supported by the state of the burial garments. We can trust the witness of those who saw what remained.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- linen cloths2×
- linen strips1×
- linen cloths,1×
- in linen cloths1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὀθόνια2×
- ὀθόνια,1×
- ὀθονίων1×
- ὀθονίοις1×
Key Verses
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John 19:40
So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
This verse establishes the initial use of the strips, showing Jesus was buried according to Jewish custom with spices and linen.
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John 20:5
Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in.
The disciple sees the strips lying in place, highlighting the stillness and order of the empty tomb before Peter enters.
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John 20:7
and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
The face cloth is described separately from the other linen cloths, emphasizing that the body was not removed by human hands.