Source sura: Quran 4:1-176
Following is one Christian description of some Muslim interpretations of the crucifixion as portrayed in the Quran, and also states that the Quran itself denies the death of Jesus by crucifixion:
Muslims and Christians with these views may not always consider alternate interpretations which agree with the biblical accounts. Verses in question:
The following are possible interpretations that may bring more agreement between the Bible and Quran.
First, Jews in question are depicted as believing they have caused the death of Jesus, if not directly nailing him to the cross or killing him: "We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger." Related Bible verses showing that some Jews made or swayed the decision to send Jesus to the cross:
Then we have, "they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them;" and "they slew him not for certain." Rather than interpreting this as the Quran saying Jesus didn't die by the cross and/or wasn't on it at all, we may remember that the Bible implies that Gentiles/Roman soldiers did the actual crucifying, while some Jews merely made or swayed the decision of his crucifixion:
So where the Quran speaks of some Jews not crucifying or slaying Jesus, why do we relate it to his actual being on the cross or his death on it, and not to the decision made to send him there? Given that, did some Jews actually make or sway any decision about it all on their own?
The answer is no, they did not ultimately make the decision, since Jesus could have stopped it at any time. Jesus made the decision himself to allow the process of his crucifixion and death according to the will of the Father.
Looking at it this way, the Quran is not denying the crucifixion at all here, but rather affirming that God has ultimate power over anything done on earth. It's not to say those involved had no responsibility for their decisions, but it says nothing would happen unless God allowed it, including the crucifixion.
Elsewhere in the Quran an affirmation that Jesus would die and be resurrected, possibly relating directly back to questions raised in Quran 4:157:
Open for discussion, debate, poking holes in that possible interpretation, etc.
Following is one Christian description of some Muslim interpretations of the crucifixion as portrayed in the Quran, and also states that the Quran itself denies the death of Jesus by crucifixion:
The Muslim religion is one of the fastest growing religions of the world, if not the fastest. Among its many differences with Christianity is that it denies the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Whether Muslims believe in a substitution theory (another person was crucified in Jesus' place), ascension theory (Jesus was rescued from the cross and ascended to heaven), or swoon theory (Jesus did not actually die while on the cross and survived the rigors of the crucifixion), each one of them clearly denies the death of Jesus by crucifixion...
...Therefore the Qur’anic teaching is clearly that Jesus did not die by crucifixion, which is in direct contrast to Christianity which says there is no salvation apart from the cross -CARM
...Therefore the Qur’anic teaching is clearly that Jesus did not die by crucifixion, which is in direct contrast to Christianity which says there is no salvation apart from the cross -CARM
Quran 4:155-159: Then because of their breaking of their covenant, and their disbelieving in the revelations of Allah, and their slaying of the prophets wrongfully, and their saying: Our hearts are hardened - Nay, but Allah set a seal upon them for their disbelief, so that they believe not save a few - (155) And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a tremendous calumny; (156) And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. (157) But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise. (158) There is not one of the People of the Scripture but will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them - (159)
First, Jews in question are depicted as believing they have caused the death of Jesus, if not directly nailing him to the cross or killing him: "We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger." Related Bible verses showing that some Jews made or swayed the decision to send Jesus to the cross:
Matthew 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Mark 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
Luke 23:23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Mark 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
Luke 23:23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Mark 15:16-20 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
Mark 15:16-20 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Matthew 26:53-54 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Matthew 26:53-54 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Looking at it this way, the Quran is not denying the crucifixion at all here, but rather affirming that God has ultimate power over anything done on earth. It's not to say those involved had no responsibility for their decisions, but it says nothing would happen unless God allowed it, including the crucifixion.
Elsewhere in the Quran an affirmation that Jesus would die and be resurrected, possibly relating directly back to questions raised in Quran 4:157:
Quran 19:33-34: Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! (33) Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. (34)
Open for discussion, debate, poking holes in that possible interpretation, etc.
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