Lexical Summary entulissó: To wrap, to roll up, to fold Original Word: ἐντυλίσσω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wrap together, fold upFrom en and tulisso (to twist; probably akin to heilisso); to entwine, i.e. Wind up in -- wrap in (together). see GREEK en see GREEK heilisso NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom en and tulissó (to twist) Definition to wrap up NASB Translation rolled (1), wrapped (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1794: ἐντυλίσσωἐντυλίσσω: 1 aorist ἐνετύλιξα; perfect passive participle ἐντετυλιγμενος; to roll in, wrap in: τινα σινδόνι, Matthew 27:59 (ἐν σινδόνι Tr (ἐν) σινδόνι WH); Luke 23:53; Ev. Nicod. c. 11 at the end, to roll up, wrap together: passive John 20:7. (Aristophanes, Plutarch, 692; nub. 987; Athen. 3, p. 106f.) Topical Lexicon Semantic Emphasis of ἐντυλίσσω The verb portrays an intentional, careful wrapping or folding, normally with cloth. It presumes respect for what is being covered, whether a scroll, a body, or another valued object. Occurrences in the New Testament • Matthew 27:59 – Joseph of Arimathea “wrapped” the body of Jesus in a clean linen cloth. These three texts form a tight narrative arc: the burial, the placement in the tomb, and the post-resurrection discovery of the grave-clothes. Historical and Cultural Context First-century Jewish burial practices involved washing the body, anointing with spices, and winding strips of linen around the limbs and torso. A separate sudarium was placed over the head and then folded back or rolled. Linen, being costly, underscored dignity and purity. The verb’s use fits that reverent custom, showing that Jesus was buried in accord with Jewish piety and prophetic expectation (Isaiah 53:9). The Burial of Jesus: Prophetic Precision Matthew and Luke stress the deliberate wrapping to highlight fulfillment of Scripture. Joseph’s actions echo the promised honorable burial of the Suffering Servant. The careful linen preparation contradicts any hasty, clandestine disposal and affirms the historical reality of Jesus’ death. The Arranged Grave Clothes: Evidence of Resurrection John 20:7 presents the head-cloth “folded up by itself.” The neat arrangement refutes grave-robbery theories; thieves would not pause to roll and set aside linens. The verb’s perfect participle (ἐντετυλιγμένον) signals a completed action with continuing result—the cloth remained in that ordered state when the disciples entered. This visual testimony helped John believe (John 20:8). Theological Reflections 1. Finality and Continuity: The body was truly dead, wrapped as any corpse, yet those same linens became silent witnesses to victory over death. Implications for Christian Ministry • Pastoral Care in Bereavement: The respect Joseph showed offers a model for honoring the deceased and comforting the grieving. Related Scriptural Imagery • Exodus 12:34 – The Israelites “wrapped” unleavened dough, preparing for deliverance; the parallel underscores preparation for a greater exodus through Christ’s death and rising. Summary ἐντυλίσσω binds together the realities of Christ’s genuine death, honorable burial, and incontrovertible resurrection evidence. Its threefold New Testament use moves from sorrow to triumphant faith, inviting the church to handle the gospel with the same reverent care shown to the Lord’s body. Forms and Transliterations ενετυλιξεν ενετύλιξεν ἐνετύλιξεν εντετυλιγμενον εντετυλιγμένον ἐντετυλιγμένον enetulixen enetylixen enetýlixen entetuligmenon entetyligmenon entetyligménonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:59 V-AIA-3SGRK: ὁ Ἰωσὴφ ἐνετύλιξεν αὐτὸ ἐν NAS: the body and wrapped it in a clean KJV: the body, he wrapped it INT: Joseph wrapped it in Luke 23:53 V-AIA-3S John 20:7 V-RPM/P-ANS Strong's Greek 1794 |
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