Handkerchief
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Handkerchief in the Bible?
A loan-word from Latin, referring to a cloth used to wipe off perspiration, found in plural in Acts 19:12. Elsewhere it is rendered as 'napkin' in Luke 19:20, John 11:44, and 20:7.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this artifact clarifies the physical details of biblical narratives, such as the burial cloths in John 20:7 and the handkerchiefs used in Acts 19:12, providing context for daily life and material culture in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Handkerchief were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Handkerchief in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Handkerchief clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Acts 19:12Luke 19:20John 11:44John 20:7
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Handkerchief." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/handkerchief/