of uncertain (perhaps foreign) origin; byssos, i.e. bleached linen (the cloth or a garment of it):--(fine) linen (cloth).
Transliteration:sindṓn
Pronunciation:sin-done'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term σινδών (sindṓn, `{{G4616}}`) denotes a fine, bleached linen cloth. Its etymology is noted as uncertain, possibly of foreign origin, yet its meaning is consistently tied to a specific quality of fabric. Unlike coarser materials, σινδών implies a high-quality textile, characterized by its fineness and the process of bleaching, which renders it white and pure. It can refer to the fabric itself or to a garment made from it, such as a tunic, sheet, or shroud. This distinction between the raw material and the finished product is important for understanding its varied uses in biblical contexts. The underlying concept of "byssos," often associated with expensive and luxurious linen, is integral to the semantic range of σινδών.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term σινδών appears four times in the New Testament, primarily in the Synoptic Gospels, and its usage carries significant weight:
1. **[[Mark 14:51-52]]**: This passage describes a mysterious young man who follows Jesus after His arrest. He is "clothed with a linen cloth (σινδών) over his naked body," and when seized, "he left the linen cloth and fled naked." This incident is unique to Mark's Gospel and has been subject to various interpretations. The σινδών here appears to be a simple, perhaps light, garment worn directly on the skin, possibly a nightshirt or a simple tunic. Its easy removal underscores the suddenness and violence of the arrest, and the young man's immediate flight.
2. **[[Mark 15:46]]**: Following Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, "bought a linen cloth (σινδών), and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb." This is the most significant use of σινδών. Here, it functions as a burial shroud, a clean and appropriate garment for the deceased, indicating a respectful and honorable burial.
3. **[[Matthew 27:59]]**: In parallel to Mark, Matthew records that "Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth (σινδών)." The addition of "clean" (καθαρᾷ) emphasizes the purity and reverence associated with the burial garment, reinforcing its sacred purpose.
4. **[[Luke 23:53]]**: Luke also states that Joseph of Arimathea "took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth (σινδών) and laid him in a tomb." All three Synoptic accounts agree on the use of σινδών for Jesus' burial, highlighting its importance in the narrative of His death and entombment.
In these contexts, σινδών transitions from a simple, everyday garment (Mark 14) to a sacred, funerary wrapping (Matthew, Mark, Luke), demonstrating its versatility while maintaining its underlying quality of fine linen.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term σινδών is closely related to other words describing textiles and garments in the biblical lexicon. Its base definition links it explicitly to **byssos** (βύσσος, `{{G1040}}`), which refers to the material of fine linen itself, often associated with luxury, purity, and priestly attire in both Greek and Hebrew scriptures.
Other related terms include:
* **λίνον** (linon, `{{G3043}}`): General term for flax or linen thread/cloth. Σινδών is a specific *type* or *quality* of linen.
* **ὀθόνια** (othonia, `{{G3607}}`): Plural for "linen cloths" or "bandages," often used in the context of grave clothes, as seen in [[John 20:6-7]] where Peter and John find the "linen cloths" (ὀθόνια) lying in the empty tomb. While distinct from σινδών, they are clearly related as components of ancient burial practices involving linen.
* **σουδάριον** (soudarion, `{{G4676}}`): A "face cloth" or "handkerchief," also found in the empty tomb narrative ([[John 20:7]]), serving a specific function in burial.
* In the Old Testament, the concept of fine linen is frequently conveyed by Hebrew terms such as **בּוּץ** (bûts, `{{H948}}`) or **שֵׁשׁ** (shêsh, `{{H8336}}`), which describe the costly and pure linen used for priestly garments, tabernacle curtains, and royal apparel (e.g., [[Exodus 28:5]], [[Ezekiel 16:10]]). This background enriches the understanding of σινδών as a material of significance, often associated with holiness and dignity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of σινδών is primarily concentrated around its use in the burial of Jesus Christ.
1. **Purity and Reverence**: The "clean" and "bleached" quality of the σινδών used for Jesus' burial underscores the profound reverence shown to His body. Despite the ignominy of the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea ensures a dignified and honorable burial, reflecting the sanctity of Christ's person. This act contrasts sharply with the defilement and shame of His execution, providing a final, pure resting place for the Lord's earthly remains.
2. **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: The proper burial of Jesus, wrapped in a σινδών, aligns with prophecies concerning the Messiah's death, such as [[Isaiah 53:9]], which speaks of Him being "with the rich in His death." Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and influential man, provides the means for this dignified interment.
3. **Witness to the Resurrection**: While the σινδών itself is a burial garment, its subsequent absence (or presence in a particular state, as implied by the related ὀθόνια in John's account) in the empty tomb becomes a silent, yet powerful, witness to the resurrection. The fact that the burial shroud was no longer needed by Jesus signifies His triumph over death and the grave. The σινδών, having served its temporary purpose, points beyond itself to the living Christ.
4. **Symbol of Transition**: The fleeting appearance of the σινδών on the young man in Mark 14, and its ultimate function as Jesus' burial shroud, can be seen as a symbolic representation of transition. It is a garment easily shed in flight, and a wrapping left behind in the empty tomb, pointing to the transient nature of earthly existence and the ultimate liberation found in Christ's resurrection.
### Summary
Σινδών (sindṓn, `{{G4616}}`) refers to fine, bleached linen cloth, used both as a simple garment and, most notably, as a burial shroud. Its primary theological significance arises from its role in the entombment of Jesus Christ, where it symbolizes purity, reverence, and the dignity accorded to the Lord's body even in death. The act of wrapping Jesus in σινδών by Joseph of Arimathea highlights the fulfillment of prophecy and the respectful care given to the Messiah. Ultimately, the σινδών, like the other grave clothes, serves as a quiet, yet profound, testament to the reality of Christ's resurrection, having been left behind in the empty tomb as evidence of His triumph over death.
TRV