Jesus never died on the Cross,
much less rose from the Dead.In 4:157 & 158 we read, "They say, 'We killed Christ Jesus the Son of Mary, the Apostle of Allah &emdash; but they killed Him not nor did they crucify Him, but so it was made to appear to them...Allah raised Him up to Himself."
This passage poses several problems for the Muslim who is willing to think through all of the implication.
1. It refutes every Biblical account of Jesus friends, and His enemies.
2. It refutes the historical accounts made by first and second century historians.
3. It refutes Jesus own prior claims that He would be crucified and rise again.
4. It puts Allah in the position of actively deceiving people.
Note that Jesus enemies, who had nothing to gain from admission of a resurrection, knew in advance that such a claim would be made. (Matt. 27:62-63)
Note that first and second century historians referred to Christian teaching of Jesus resurrection as common knowledge. This included Josephus, Tertullian and others.
Note that Jesus Himself taught that He would be crucified and rise again. (Matt. 16:16) Ironically, when Peter told Jesus that this must no happen, Jesus rebuked him saying, "Get behind Me Satan." The concept that Jesus Christ would not die on the cross or rise from the dead is not one from God, rather, it is from the enemy of God.
The most difficult issue here, however, is God's involvement in deception. Follow the order of events in 4:157-158. Jesus, it says, does not die on the cross because it was made to appear to them that He was crucified. Instead, the crucifixion happened to someone else. Was someone else crucified in Jesus place? Some Muslims regard this to be Judas, most do not. This would also place Jesus in the position of a liar as He prophesied His own crucifixion many times. According to the Quran, can a prophet lie? Certainly not. In the Quran no prophet can commit error or sin.
[GO BACK]