what is retained?

I've been studying the Bible so long that it's exciting to me
when I come upon a new idea about a passage.
Barbara Reid, O.P., is professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological
Union in Chicago.
She writes that the words of Jesus from the cross in John 19.30 have
usually been rendered, "he gave up his spirit," indicating death.
But she says the verse should be translated, "he handed over the Spirit."
The Spirit (Holy Spirit) was 'handed over' at the moment of the death
of Jesus.
I've never heard that interpretation before.
It's an interesting idea.
I'll have to study it more.

Reid also gives a new rendering of John 20.23.
The usually translation is, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you
retain the sins of any, they are retained."
But she points out there the word 'sins' is not in the second half of the verse
in the Greek text (which is correct).
So, it should be translated, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone, they are retained."
In other words, Jesus gives the apostles the power to forgive and to 'retain' everyone in the fellowship, just as Jesus himself didn't let a single sheep be lost.
(Of course she doesn't mention Judas.)
Again, I'll have to study this more.

New ideas are exciting!

[from the Jesuit magazine, America]



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