The term "unrolled" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of opening a scroll to read its contents. Scrolls were the primary medium for written texts in biblical times, and the act of unrolling a scroll was a significant event, often associated with the public reading of Scripture or important decrees.

Biblical Context

1. Isaiah 34:4 · The imagery of the heavens being "rolled up like a scroll" is a powerful metaphor used by the prophet Isaiah to describe the cosmic upheaval that accompanies divine judgment. The act of unrolling, in contrast, can symbolize revelation and the unveiling of God's word and will.

2. Luke 4:17-20 · In the New Testament, the act of unrolling a scroll is notably depicted in the account of Jesus at the synagogue in Nazareth. "The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor...'" (Luke 4:17-18). Here, Jesus unrolls the scroll to reveal His mission and identity, fulfilling the prophecy before the eyes of those present.

3. Revelation 6:14 · The imagery of the sky being "split apart like a scroll being rolled up" is used in the book of Revelation to describe the end times. This apocalyptic vision underscores the dramatic and transformative nature of God's final revelation and judgment.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In ancient Jewish culture, scrolls were made of papyrus or parchment and were used to record sacred texts, legal documents, and other important writings. The process of unrolling a scroll was a deliberate and careful act, often performed in a communal or liturgical setting. The unrolling of a scroll signified the beginning of a reading, which was an event of great importance, especially when it involved the Scriptures.

The synagogue service, as described in the New Testament, included the reading of the Torah and the Prophets. The unrolling of the scroll was a moment of anticipation and reverence, as the congregation prepared to hear the word of God. This practice highlights the centrality of Scripture in Jewish worship and the continuity of this tradition in early Christian communities.

Theological Implications

The act of unrolling a scroll in the Bible is rich with theological meaning. It represents the revelation of divine truth and the accessibility of God's word to His people. In the case of Jesus unrolling the scroll of Isaiah, it signifies the fulfillment of prophecy and the inauguration of His earthly ministry. The unrolling of the scroll is a moment of divine disclosure, where hidden truths are made known and the purposes of God are unveiled.

In a broader sense, the concept of unrolling can be seen as a metaphor for the unfolding of God's plan throughout history. Just as a scroll is unrolled to reveal its contents, so too does God reveal His will and purpose over time, culminating in the ultimate revelation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The First Galilean Ministry.
... told, that the minister delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias,' we doubt
not, for the Haphtarah, [2181] and that, when He had unrolled the book ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first galilean.htm

The Carthage Student
... He took it from his sense of duty as a student, because it figured on the schedule.
He unrolled the book, and began it, doubtless with calm indifference. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the carthage student.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... it came to this, that he must return unto his God in humble penitence, or he must
die outright; so he hastened to the mercy-seat, and there unrolled the volume ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

A Great Deal for Me to Read Hast Thou Sent...
... Having therefore unrolled and read through all that Leonas, servant of God, brought
me from thee, both soon after I received it, and afterwards when about to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 1 a great deal.htm

St. Luke xxi. 36
... events of the last eighteen hundred years: indistinct and unknown to us, as long
as they are thus folded up together; but capable of being unrolled before our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xi st luke xxi.htm

Jesus in the Synagogue.
... Jesus. It was the roll of Isaiah, and as Jesus went up to the reader's desk
He opened and unrolled it until He came to these words,. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xiii jesus in the.htm

The Unknown To-Morrow
... We are sure that a mingled web of joy and sorrow, light shot with dark, will be
unrolled before us" but of anything more we are really ignorant. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the unknown to-morrow.htm

Praise be to Him who Sent Him!
... thee!"In the midst of thee the wearied Prophets have found rest,"from the labour
and the reproachthey bore in Judah."Blessed the books unrolled in thy ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xviii praise be to.htm

But Besides, if Birds of Augury Converse with one Another...
... Amidst the host, the fallen serpent lies. They, pale with terror, mark its spires
unrolled,. And Jove's portent with beating hearts behold." [4042]. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xci but besides if.htm

The First Disciples: v. Believing and Seeing
... and what our Lord means is simply this: 'If you will continue to trust in Me, as
you have trusted Me, and stand beside Me, you will see unrolled before your ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples v believing.htm

Unrolled (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unrolled (2 Occurrences). Luke 4:17 And the book
of the prophet Esaias was given to him; and having unrolled...
/u/unrolled.htm - 6k

Unrolling (1 Occurrence)

/u/unrolling.htm - 6k

Unripe (6 Occurrences)

/u/unripe.htm - 8k

Evolution
... 2. (n.) A series of things unrolled or unfolded. 3. (n.) The formation of an
involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute. ...
/e/evolution.htm - 39k

Planting (57 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Revelation 10:2 In his hand he held a small scroll unrolled; and, planting
his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, (WEY). ...
/p/planting.htm - 24k

Sinaiticus
... was wrapped up in a piece of cloth, and on its being unrolled, to the surprise and
delight of the critic the very document presented itself which he had given ...
/s/sinaiticus.htm - 9k

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
... heat. With the utmost pains many of these have been unrolled and deciphered,
and the first part of them was published in 1793. They ...
/p/papyrus.htm - 34k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... The mummy of this Pharaoh, when unrolled, brought to view "the most beautiful
mummy head ever seen within the walls of the museum. ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

Scroll (70 Occurrences)
... Revelation 10:2 In his hand he held a small scroll unrolled; and, planting his right
foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, (WEY YLT RSV NIV). ...
/s/scroll.htm - 32k

Roll (57 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:17 And the book of the prophet Esaias was given to him; and having unrolled
the book he found the place where it was written, (Root in DBY YLT NIV). ...
/r/roll.htm - 33k

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