Sat7 Iran: Crucifixion Segment - Bridges To Common Ground

Life-Giver: PART 7

The Crucifixion

Does the Qur’an say that Jesus was crucified? A careful examination of the text may be surprising. 

The Qur’an: and said, “We have killed the Messiah Jesus (Esa), son of Mary, the Messenger of God.” However, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, though it was made to appear as if it had been so. 4:157

  1. The “they” in question here is a reference to the Jews; sura 4:153–156 is a discussion of a group of Jewish people, which continues into verse 157.
  2. Certain Jewish groups—both in Jesus’s own time and six centuries later in the prophet Muhammad’s time, actively sought credit for the crucifixion of Jesus.
  3. Both the Gospel accounts and references in contemporary secular histories confirm that Jesus was sentenced to death and executed by the Roman authorities in Jerusalem. Only the Romans had the legal authority to do so.
  4. The Qur’anic record appears to be saying, in essence: “Even if a few of them claim credit, it was absolutely not the Jews who killed or crucified Jesus.” Moreover, the Qur'an speaks of Jesus' death and resurrection. 

Examples Of Jesus' Death In The Qur'an:

  1. God said, “Jesus, I will cause you to die and raise you up to me, and purify you from those who denied the truth, and I will exalt your followers over those who deny you until the Resurrection Day. Then you all will return to me, and I will judge between you in matters about which you disagree. 3:55
  2. And (God’s) peace was upon me the day I (Jesus) was born and the day I will die and it will be upon me the day I am raised alive. 19:33
  3. I (Jesus) told them only what You commanded me to say, “Worship God, who is my Lord as well as your Lord.” I was a witness to them during my time with them. But after you made me (Jesus) die, You were the One watching over them. You witness everything. 5:117 

Common Ground:

  1. The Qur'an: 4:157 ..."but they killed him not nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them..."  This references a long-held Muslim belief that Jesus was substituted, and another man was crucified in his place.
  2. The Bible: Isaiah 52:14 "..his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being, and his form, marred beyond human likeness."
  3. Does the Qur'an affirm a prophecy with similar wording, given by the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, regarding the suffering Messiah Jesus?

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Life-Giver: PART 1