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The word óïõäÜñéïí (=Lat. sudarium) is translated by ‘handkerchiefs’ (plur.) in Act_19:12, but elsewhere in the NT by ‘napkin’ (Luk_19:20, Joh_11:44; Joh_20:7). See 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 óïõäÜñéïí appears among the items of dowry in marriage contracts of the 2nd and 3rd cent. a.d. (A. Deissmann, 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 passage the articles were of Spanish manufacture, and the material linen. The óïõäÜñéïí 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 article ‘The Aprons and Handkerchiefs of St. Paul,’ by E, Nestle, in Expository Times xiii. [1901-02] 282, and see article Apron.
W. Cruickshank.