„… durch das Blut des Einzelnen“

Abstract

In scholarly exegetical literature, there exists an important debate concerning whether Luke interprets the death of Jesus soteriologically in Luke-Acts. The passages Luke 22:19–20 and Acts 20:28 have been the centre of attention in this discussion. This essay presents a contribution to the debate by focusing on Acts 20:28: Maintaining the primary meaning of the term ἴδιος (“separate,” “distinct”) the author suggests a new translation of the prepositional phrase διὰ τοῦ αἵµατος τοῦ ἰδίου. The new reading conveys a more ecclesiological interpretation of the death of Jesus and has the advantage of being able to integrate Acts 20:28 into Luke’s wider conceptual framework.