Deliverance from the Cross — Page 83
thy hands I commit my spirit; and with these words he died. ' 4. John (19:30): 'He bowed his head and gave up his spirit [or breathed out his life]. ' It will be observed that these versions obviously deviate from the ancient wording, only in the case of John does the original text run parallel with the translation, but even there it reduces the effect with the footnote, he breathed out his life. In Mark and Luke the giving up of the ghost is transformed into physical annihilation by the use of the word died, and in Matthew the original text was mutilated in another respect. We think it is not justified to describe a translation as God's word if its wording and meaning do not correspond with the text of the original scripture. It is of the greatest importance that the public should get an absolutely clear idea of what is written in the Bible. Whatever the meaning of the phrase: He gave up his ghost, there is no compelling reason to assume that it implies cardiac death or syncope. According to the Apostolic Letter of Pope John XXIII to all bishops, published in the Osservatore Romano of 2 July 1960, mankind did not need the death of Jesus for its salvation. This memorable letter dealt with the importance of the blood of Jesus Christ. It shows quite clearly that mankind's complete salvation was accomplished through the blood of Jesus Christ, 83