The Empty Cocoon and the Shroud

The Shroud of Turin is once again receiving widespread attention. It is being discussed around the world, partly because Tucker Carlson recently conducted a long interview with an expert on the subject. Carlson openly expressed his conviction regarding the authenticity of the cloth. And indeed: it remains impressive that an image appears on a linen cloth which no human technique can explain or reproduce. For many, this is the silent testimony of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Cloths in the Gospels

Yet when we read the gospels themselves, we come across a striking detail. Matthew, Mark, and Luke speak of a sindōn: a large linen cloth in which Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus’ body (Matt. 27:59; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53). John, on the other hand, reports that Jesus was bound in othonia—linen cloths, plural—along with a large quantity of spices (John 19:39–40). And at the head there was a separate soudarion, a head cloth (John 20:6–7).

At first glance, these may seem like differing accounts, but in fact they complement one another: there was both a large cloth (sindōn), and multiple linen cloths (othonia) with spices, and a head cloth (soudarion).

The Cocoon

The enormous amount of spices caused the cloths around the body to harden in a short time. Thus, a hardened shell was formed—a cocoon in the shape of the body. The head was separately covered with the soudarion. When John and Peter entered the tomb on the day of the Firstfruit Sheaf, “on the morrow after the sabbath,” they saw exactly this: the cloths were still there, but empty. Like a mummy without contents.

Many translations of John 20:7 speak of the sweat cloth being “rolled up.” But the Greek word entulisso means “to wrap.” The sweat cloth was therefore not neatly rolled up by Jesus after His resurrection, but was still lying there just as it had been three days earlier at the burial—only now empty. And John writes: “he perceived and believes” (John 20:8) because the cocoon was still intact while the contents had vanished. That was, for him, the convincing proof of the resurrection.

The Shroud as Inner Cloth

How does this relate to the Shroud of Turin? If this cloth is authentic, it could very well be the sindōn—the inner cloth that was laid directly around Jesus’ body. That would also explain why bloodstains are visible on it: it was in direct contact with skin and wounds. The other cloths were placed on top of it, soaked with spices, and formed the cocoon that John and Peter found.

In this scenario, both lines converge:

1. the synoptic gospels with their mention of the sindōn (the linen cloth, the shroud);
2. John with his description of the spice-infused cloths (othonia) and the head cloth (soudarion).

The Sign of the Resurrection

At the resurrection, Jesus left behind both the shroud (sindōn) and the cocoon of linen cloths (othonia). In that single moment, power and light radiated outward, penetrating the linen cloth so that the image of His body remained. At the same time, He left the hardened cocoon empty. Peter and John saw the cocoon and believed. Whether the shroud lay in the tomb or was placed aside, John does not say.

But what is clear: the hardened linen cloths were left behind. For the disciples, the empty cocoon was the convincing sign. The shroud, too—if it is indeed authentic—may very well be the remnant of that same moment.

A Biblical Pattern

The leaving behind of a garment as testimony fits within a broader biblical pattern. Think of Joseph, whose multicolored robe was left behind as a sign of his presumed death (Gen. 37:31–33). Also think of Elijah, who left his mantle behind for Elisha when he was taken up (2 Kings 2:13). In both cases, the men of God disappeared from sight, but a garment remained as a legacy. How much more so in the greatest event in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ! He left both the tomb and the burial cloth completely empty!

The idea that this cloth may have “photographically” recorded the resurrection is by no means unthinkable—rather, it seems entirely fitting.

Summary

The gospels speak of a shroud, of linen cloths, and of a head cloth. At the resurrection, Jesus Christ left the hardened cocoon empty. It is possible that the Shroud of Turin is the inner cloth, marked at the very moment of resurrection by a flash of light and power. Be that as it may: what is certain is that He has conquered death and lives!

Delen: