Handkerchief Napkin The word σουδάριον (=Lat. sudarium) is translated by ‘handkerchiefs’ (plur.) in Acts 19:12, but elsewhere in the NT by ‘napkin’ (Luke 19:20, John 11:44, John 20:7). See DCG [Note: CG Dict. of Christ and the Gospels.], s.v. ‘Napkin.’ Its equivalent appears in Talmudic literature as an article of clothing (one of the over-garments), which might be worn round the neck (cf. Suet. Nero, 51) or carried upon the arm or over the shoulder. It was also in use as a head or face cloth, approximating in idea to ‘veil’ (cf. Suet. Nero, 48; Quintil. Instit . vi. iii. 60). The σουδάριον appears among the items of dowry in marriage contracts of the 2nd and 3rd cent. a.d. (A. Deis smann, Neue Bibelstudien, 1897, p. 50). According to the derivation of the word, it was a sweat-cloth, corresponding in use to our handkerchief. Catullus (Carm. xii. 14) speaks of the joke of abstracting a neighbour’s napkin at meals. According to this pas sage the articles were of Spanish manufacture, and the material linen. The σουδάριον was employed for waving in public assemblies. It served humbler purposes as a strainer and as a wrapper. See especially S. Krauss, Talmudische Archäologie, i. [1910] 166f. Cf. also art. [Note: rt. article.] ‘The Aprons and Handkerchiefs of St. Paul,’ by E, Nestle, in ExpT [Note: xpT Expository Times.] xiii. [1901-02] 282, and See art. [Note: rt. article.] Apron.
W. Cruickshank.