CAN THE SHROUD OF TURIN IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SACRED TEXTS?
CAN THE SHROUD OF TURIN IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SACRED TEXTS?

Summary/Abstract: We want to investigate the quantity of aromas brought by Nicodemus to the Sepulcher, also using research results on the Shroud of Turin. In the Gospel of John we read about 100 pounds. Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin and a secret follower of Jesus, would have brought that quantity with the intention of using it. We have investigated the Gospels, the presence of aromas and the one of pollens and we have concluded that the above mixture of aloe and myrrh were absent on the Shroud. There, the present pollens were from Helichrysum, Cistus, Ferula and Pistacea: plants that provided high quality aromatics oils; Gundelia Tournefortii and Zygophyllum Dumosum pollens were absent. We think that Nicodemus wanted to treat the body of the Nazarene like the one of Asa, king of Judah, who had a funeral worthy of a king, even though he had forsaken the Lord. Thus, if an extraordinary funeral was arranged for Asa, it seemed fitting to Nicodemus to organize a more important funeral for the Son of God.

• Details
• Contents