The Shroud of Turin Controversy:

Some Christians say, "The Shroud of Turin can't be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ; because John 19:40 says, "They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths" like a mummy; cloths here is plural, so the Shroud of Turin has to be a forgery, because it's a single sheet!"

Yet 3 Gospels say that Jesus was wrapped in a single linen sheet: Matthew 27:59 "wrapped it in a clean linen sheet" (Singular), Mark 15:46, "wrapped him in the linen sheet" (Singular), and Luke 23:53, "wrapped it in a linen sheet" (Singular). So what is the answer to this paradox: "Linen cloths" or "Linen sheet"? Or could both be true?

Close examination of the Shroud of Turin reveals something very interesting; at some time the Shroud of Turin was torn into "two cloths!" (See photos below.) The first photo shows a corner and one edge of the cloth, the second is an x-ray of the corner of cloth. Both photos show a seam, where the cloth was sown back together: showing that about a 3 inch wide strip of linen was torn (full length) from one edge of this cloth; thus making "two cloths." (So the Shroud of Turn doesn't contradict the Bible on this point; but actually reconciles John 19:40 with the other 3 Gospel accounts.)

Why was the Shroud torn? This may have had to do with the Jewish custom of tearing their clothes, as a sign of mourning? And also perhaps as sign of a life being torn in death? Therefore, Jesus’ body may have appeared in the tomb as pictured below: wrapped in the main body of the Shroud, and tied with the strip linen which was torn from the shroud.

As I was writing this note; I did a Google Search, and found a humorous News Story that proves what I am about to say. "Israel's only mummy gets afterlife spotlight at Israel Museum" (The Times of Israel: July 26, 2016) The mummy that this article is referring to, is that of an Egyptian priest, whom they call "Alex", who died in Egypt 2,200 years ago, whose mummy was then on display in a museum in Israel. The reason I found this article humorous is because contrary to common belief (among many Christians), it was NOT ancient Jewish Custom to wrap their dead like mummies. (Also see the Note on John 11:44) And that is why this article calls Alex, "Israel's only mummy." For in all of the archaeological digs in the Holy Land, NO Jewish Mummy has ever been found. So Jesus body was NOT wrapped like a Mummy, because Jesus was wrapped "according to Jewish burial custom," not Egyptian. (John 19:40)

So What Did John See, When He Entered The Tomb?

An Empty Shroud! "And he saw and believed." (John 20:6)