The True Status of Jesus in the Bible and Quran
Misinterpretation regarding religion has lead to confusion about the true status of Jesus, whether he was the son of God, and if his crucifixion remits all of our sins. The purpose of this article is to resolve any misperceptions using verses from the Gospel, known as today’s New Testament, and the Quran, the Final Testament.
Firstly, we need to appreciate these facts before finding the truth about Jesus.
God has sent each new scripture to confirm and supersede the previous scripture
Today people believe that the Torah (today’s old testament) is for Jews, the Gospel (the new testament) is for Christians, and the Quran (the final testament) is for Muslims. This is not true. It is important to recognize that each scripture came down from the One God, thus we realize that believers are to follow the scriptures in relevance to time and not religion.
We have sent down the Torah,* containing guidance and light… ~ Quran 5:44
*5:44 The Torah is a collection of all the scriptures revealed through all the prophets of Israel prior to Jesus, i.e., today's Old Testament.
Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light.. ~ Quran 5:46
The reason the Gospel was revealed to Jesus and overrides the Torah is evident from this verse:
"I confirm previous scripture - the Torah - and I revoke certain prohibitions imposed upon you. I come to you with sufficient proof from your Lord. Therefore, you shall observe God, and obey me.” ~ Quran 3:50
Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them.. ~ Quran 5:48
From the above verses, we see that each time a scripture is revealed, it confirms and supersedes the previous one. This explains why there are similarities between them. Therefore, as the Quran is the most recent revelation from God, believers can verify the message of the Torah and the Gospel in the Quran.
The authenticity of the Gospel and the Quran
Why can’t we verify the true story of Jesus in the Gospel alone? The Gospel, known today as the Bible, claims that falsehood has entered it:
Jeremiah 8:8 'How can you say, “We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,” when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?'
The Quran makes a claim no other religious texts make, that God Himself will keep this scripture safe from alteration:
..No falsehood could enter it in the past or in the future, a revelation from a Most Wise, Praiseworthy.
~ Quran 41:41-42
The message of the Gospel; Worship God or Jesus?
The reason why we need to verify the true message with both scriptures is because there are verses within the Bible that contradict each other. In the Gospel of Luke 4:8 Jesus claims that God is our Lord and we shall worship Him alone, but Timothy 1:2 claims that Jesus is the Lord beside God;
Gospel of Luke 4:8 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You are to worship the Lord your God and serve ONLY Him.'"
Timothy 1:2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
We can use the Bible and the Quran to see which verses are in harmony with one another, and in turn expose the altered verses of the Bible. Jesus makes a proclamation in the Quran that confirms the correct teachings of the Gospel;
He (Jesus) also proclaimed "God is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path."
~ Quran 19:36
Gospel of John 20:17 Jesus replied, "Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
These verses also correspond with one another:
Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him ONLY shall you serve.’”
We did not send any messenger before you except with the inspiration: "There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone." ~ Quran 21:25
By comparing the verses in both the Bible and the Quran, we conclude that the true message can be clarified using God’s Final Revelation, the Quran.
As the Quran is God’s final revelation to the world, it is a complete and fully detailed scripture as mentioned in 10:37; thus the details of Jesus’ position at God are found within this scripture.
The Creation of Jesus
The angels said "O Mary, God gives you good news: a Word from Him whose name is The Messiah Jesus the son of Mary. He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter and one of those closest to Me.' ~ Quran 3:45
"He will speak to the people from the crib as well as an adult; he will be from among the uprights." ~ Quran 3:46
She said "My Lord how can I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said "God thus creates whatever He wills. To have anything done He simply says to it `Be' and it is. ~ Quran 3:47
The "equality" of the creation of Jesus and Adam is confirmed mathematically; Jesus and Adam are mentioned in the Quran the same number of times, 25 times each.
The example of Jesus, as far as God is concerned, is the same as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, "Be," and he was. ~ Quran 3:59
This is the truth from your Lord; do not harbor any doubts. ~ Quran 3:60
Absolutely, this is the narration of the truth. Absolutely, there is no god except God. Absolutely, God is the Almighty, Most Wise. ~ Quran 3:62
The Death of Jesus
We have revealed this scripture to you, to point out for them what they dispute, and to provide guidance and mercy for people who believe. ~ Quran 16:64
The Quran outlines the circumstances of Jesus among the disbelievers, and reveals the significant details leading up to his death.
They plotted and schemed, but so did God, and God is the best schemer. Thus, God said, "O Jesus, I am terminating your life, raising you to Me, and ridding you of the disbelievers. I will exalt those who follow you above those who disbelieve, till the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is the ultimate destiny of all of you, then I will judge among you regarding your disputes. ~ Quran 3:55-55
(They incurred condemnation) for violating their covenant rejecting God's revelations killing the prophets unjustly and for saying "Our minds are made up!" In fact God is the One who sealed their minds due to their disbelief and this is why they fail to believe except rarely. ~ Quran 4:155
(And they are condemned) for disbelieving and uttering about Mary a gross lie. ~ Quran 4:156
God mentions how the disbelievers who are plotting and scheming to kill Jesus have incurred condemnation for violating their covenant, rejecting God's revelations, killing the prophets unjustly, and uttering about Mary a gross lie in the verses leading up to this one;
And for claiming that they killed the Messiah Jesus son of Mary the messenger of God. In fact they never killed him they never crucified him - they were made to think that they did. All factions who are disputing in this matter are full of doubt concerning this issue. They possess no knowledge; they only conjecture. For certain they never killed him. Instead God raised him to Him; God is Almighty Most Wise. ~ Quran 4:157-158
These verses confirm that Jesus was being raised to heaven while his body was crucified. While it appeared that he was being tortured, he didn't suffer any pain as God had already terminated his life. This confirms the fact that Jesus did not die for our sins.
The words "they were made to think that they did" has allegorical meaning and is with regards to misinterpretation of the New Testament when the belief that God is a third of a trinity was acknowledged. God is full control of all things, and distinguishes the true believers from the disbelievers by testing them. This was prearranged as a test to see who would uphold the false doctrine, thus exposing the disbelievers.
O you who received the book you shall believe in what we reveal herein confirming what you have .. Quran 4:47
A perfect (book) to warn of severe retribution from Him and to deliver good news to the believers who lead a good life that they have earned a generous recompense. ~ Quran 18:2
Wherein they abide forever. ~ Quran 18:3
And to warn those who said “God has begotten a son!” ~ Quran 18:4
They possess no knowledge about this nor did their parents. What a blasphemy coming out of their mouths! What they utter is a gross lie. ~ Quran 18:5
God confronts those who idolize Jesus beside Him
They said "God has begotten a son!" Be He glorified. He is the Most Rich. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. You have no proof to support such a blasphemy. Are you saying about God what you do not know? ~ Quran 10:68
The Initiator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have a son when He never had a mate? He created all things and He is fully aware of all things. ~ Quran 6:101
When they are told, "Follow what God has revealed herein," they say "We follow only what we found our parents doing." What if their parents did not understand and were not guided? ~ Quran 2:170
Have they found other gods beside Him? Say, "Show me your proof. This is the message to my generation, consummating all previous messages." Indeed, most of them do not recognise the truth.. ~ Quran 21:24
When they are told, “follow these revelations of God,” they say, “No, we follow only what we found our parents doing.” What if the devil is leading them to the agony of Hell? ~ Quran 31:21
Say "Consider the idols you have set up beside God. Show me what on earth they created. Do they own part of the heavens? Show me any other scripture before this one or any piece of established knowledge that supports your idolatry if you are truthful." ~ Quran 46:4
Who is farther astray than those who idolize beside God idols that can never respond to them until the Day of Resurrection and are totally unaware of their worship? ~ Quran 46:5
And when the people are summoned (on the Day of Judgment) their idols will become their enemies and will denounce their idolatry. ~ Quran 46:6
We also learn from the Gospel of Matthew that worshipping Jesus is not a law decreed by God and on Judgement Day Jesus will be against those who idolise him;
Matthew 7:22-23 “On Judgment Day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'”
These verses from the Gospel and the Quran are consistent with one another. Thus any teachings from today’s Bible that claim we should worship Jesus beside God are contradictory to Jesus’s teachings and therefore a fabrication of the truth.
Never would a human being whom God blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolize me beside God." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn. ~ Quran 3:79
You do not worship beside Him except innovations that you have made up, you and your parents. God has never authorized such idols. All ruling belongs to God and He has ruled that you shall not worship except Him. This is the perfect religion but most people do not know. ~ Quran 12:40
God warns us not to follow the majority who have mislead multitudes of people
If you obey the majority of people on earth they will divert you from the path of God. They follow only conjecture; they only guess. ~ Quran 6:116
Pagans indeed are those who say that God is the Messiah son of Mary. The Messiah himself said "O Children of Israel you shall worship God; my Lord and your Lord." Anyone who sets up any idol beside God, God has forbidden Paradise for him and his destiny is Hell. The wicked have no helpers. Pagans indeed are those who say that God is a third of a trinity. There is no god except the one god. Unless they refrain from saying this, those who disbelieve among them will incur a painful retribution. The Messiah son of Mary is no more than a messenger like the messengers before him and his mother was a saint. Both of them used to eat the food. Note how we explain the revelations for them and note how they still deviate! Say "Would you worship beside God powerless idols who can neither harm you nor benefit you? God is Hearer Omniscient." Say "O people of the scripture do not transgress the limits of your religion beyond the truth and do not follow the opinions of people who have gone astray and have misled multitudes of people; they are far astray from the right path." ~ Quran 5:72-5:77
..Ironically those who received the scripture were the ones who rejected any new scripture despite clear proofs given to them. This is due to jealousy on their part. God guides those who believe to the truth that is disputed by all others in accordance with His will. God guides whoever (He) wills in a straight path. ~ Quran 2:213
Do not be like those who became divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs that were given to them. For these have incurred a terrible retribution. ~ Quran 3:105
O people of the book do not transgress the limits of your religion and do not say about God except the truth. The Messiah Jesus the son of Mary was a messenger of God and His word that He had sent to Mary and a revelation from Him. Therefore you shall believe in God and His messengers. You shall not say "Trinity." You shall refrain from this for your own good. God is only one god. Be He glorified; He is much too glorious to have a son. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. God suffices as Lord and Master. ~ Quran 4:171
We are commanded to worship God alone
The Jews said "Ezra is the son of God" while the Nazarenes said "Jesus is the son of God!" These are blasphemies uttered by their mouths. They thus match the blasphemies of those who have disbelieved in the past. God condemns them. They have surely deviated. ~ Quran 9:30
They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords instead of God and also the Messiah son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified high above having any partners. ~ Quran 9:31
Those who believe and do not pollute their belief with idol worship have deserved the perfect security and they are truly guided. ~ Quran 6:82
Your congregation is but one congregation, and I alone am your Lord; you shall worship Me alone. However, they divided themselves into disputing religions. All of them will come back to us (for judgment). ~ Quran 21:92-93
Only God's servants who are absolutely devoted to Him alone (will be saved). ~ Quran 37:40
Dear Christians, the Quran confirms that believers from all religions who devote themselves to God alone will attain salvation, so I will leave you with this invitation;
"O followers of the scripture, let us come to a logical agreement between us and you: that we shall not worship except God; that we never set up any idols besides Him, nor set up any human beings as lords beside God." If they turn away, say, "Bear witness that we are submitters." ~ Quran 3:64
Peace & God Bless