John 19:40
40Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it, with the aromatic spices, ▼▼ On this term see BDAG 140-41 s.v. ἄρωμα. The Jews did not practice embalming, so these materials were used to cover the stench of decay and slow decomposition.
in strips of linen cloth ▼▼ The Fourth Gospel uses ὀθονίοις (othoniois) to describe the wrappings, and this has caused a good deal of debate, since it appears to contradict the synoptic accounts which mention a σινδών (sindōn), a large single piece of linen cloth. If one understands ὀθονίοις to refer to smaller strips of cloth, like bandages, there would be a difference, but diminutive forms have often lost their diminutive force in Koine Greek (BDF #111.3), so there may not be any difference.
according to Jewish burial customs. ▼▼ Grk “cloth as is the custom of the Jews to prepare for burial.”
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