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The Death and Resurrection of Christ in the Quran

The following notes are based on lessons George has taught publicly.

Part 1: The Death of Jesus

1. The Qur’an’s teaching regarding the death of Christ is unclear.

a. Sometimes it affirms the death of Christ.

i. Surah 19:33— So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again).
•This verse quotes the infant Jesus speaking about his death and resurrection which were still future.

ii. Surah 3:55— Remember when God said, “O Jesus! Verily I will cause thee to die, and will take thee up to myself and deliever thee from those who believe not...” (Rodwell’s translation)
•There is dispute about the meaning of this verse. Some say it should read, “I will take thee” instead of “cause thee to die”.

iii. Surah 5:117— ...and I was a witness of them so long as I was among them, but when Thou didst cause me to die, Thou wert the watcher over them, and Thou art witness of all things. (Shakir’s translation)
•This is also disputed. Certain commentators acknowledge that it is the strongest Qur’anic support for a past death of Christ.

iv. Surah 5:19 (17 in some)— ...Who then hath the least power against God, if his will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all—every one that is on the earth? For to God belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between...
•This verse indirectly contradicts those who might say that Jesus could never have died.

b. Once it denies the death of Christ.

Surah 4:157,158— That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of God”;—but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:— Nay, God raised him up unto himself; and God is exalted in power, wise...

c. Muslim scholars reconcile this inconsistency in various ways:

i. A significant number admit a natural death but deny a crucifixion.

ii. Ahmaddiya Muslims say that Jesus was on the cross, but survived. He later moved to Kashmir and lived to old age.

iii. Some say that God rescued Jesus from the unbelievers, slew him and then raised him.

iv. The traditional view is that the death of Jesus mentioned in the Qur’an is future, after Jesus’ return.

v. Some modern Muslim scholars accept the crucifixion as a fact. The last verse mentioned is not seen to deny the cross, but rather affirm the blessed state of martyrdom. The following verse is cited—

Surah 2:154— Say not of those who are slain in God’s way that they are dead; they are living but you perceive not. (also see Surah 3:169)

Read Acts 2:22-24 below and consider how it could be used to reconcile the above Qur'anic statements: "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. ANSWER: The Jews did not succeed in finally doing away with Jesus. God’s plan and purpose prevailed. God planned the death of Christ and raised him up to himself.

d. Observations on the Death of Christ:

i. The death of Christ can be an area of uncertainty for thinking Muslims.

ii. The Qur’an allows for an interpretation which affirms the crucifixion.

iii. Those Muslim scholars who choose to do new research in the light of accepted history and grammar, tend to move closer to accepting the crucifixion as a fact.

iv. None of the above opinions recognize the purpose for Christ’s death.

v. Most Muslims think the death of Christ would be a defeat for God, and therefore unlikely. Christians can show them that in fact, the death of Christ is a victory for God, not a defeat.

e. Applications:

i. Muslims must be shown the need for Christ’s death.

ii. This involves them first being convinced of other foundational truths, such as—

a. the depravity of man and his utter helplessness.
b. God’s judgment on sin.
c. the futility of human effort to obtain salvation.
d. God’s provision of a way for sin to be judged, while sinners are justified.
e. in short, they must see themselves as hopeless sinners.

iii. They must also be convinced that Muhammad cannot help them.

iv. To preach the crucifixion of Christ to those who don’t yet see their need for help, is wasted effort, like throwing pearls before swine (Mt. 7:6). Like anyone else, a Muslim must be "lost" before he can be "found".

Part 2: The Resurrection of Jesus

Surah 19:33— (The infant Jesus says,) So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again).

1. All orthodox Muslims strongly believe in the doctrine of resurrection, and therefore Christ’s resurrection. The question is when does his resurrection take place?

2. Most believe it to be future, in the day of judgment.

3. Some believe God already has raised him, after first slaying him.

4. A few scholars deny all resurrection.

5. Usually, if you can convince a Muslim of the crucifixion of Christ, he will also believe the resurrection.

6. Our belief in the resurrection means that we share another belief in common with most Muslims, i.e. that Jesus is alive.

Part 3: The Ascension and Exaltation of Jesus

1. Almost all Muslims affirm the ascension of Jesus.

2. The Qur’an actually speaks more highly of Jesus than of Muhammad.

Surah 3:45 (40)— Behold! The angels said: “O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God...”

3. It is in the authoritative Islamic Traditions (Hadith) and in popular teaching that Jesus is lower in status.

a. Where Muhammad saw Jesus in his Night Journey through the Seven Heavens—

Level of Heaven	Resident Prophet
Seventh Heaven	Abraham
Sixth Heaven	Moses
Fifth Heaven	Aaron
Fourth Heaven	Enoch
Third Heaven	Joseph
Second Heaven	John the Baptist and Jesus
First Heaven	Adam

b. In judgment day, people will go to one prophet after another, seeking intercession before God. Beginning with Adam, each prophet will decline and pass the person on to the next prophet until finally Jesus says to go to Muhammad for help. (Mishkat al-Masabih, p. 1180)

Part 4: A Constant Reminder of the Reality of Christ’s Crucifixion

1. In the West, the part of Christ’s life under greatest attack by skeptics is the resurrection. In response, Christian scholars defend the truth using evidence from history, logic, etc., showing the Christian faith to be reasonable.

2. In Muslim countries, the part of Christ’s life needing such defense is the crucifixion.

3. The observance of the Lord’s Supper is one of the strongest logical and historical proofs that the crucifixion of Christ actually took place.

a. Everywhere the Christian church exists in the world, this ceremony is observed regularly.

i. What is its present-day observance based on? Answer: the New Testament record of the Last Supper.
ii. When was the ceremony begun? Before or after the crucifixion? Answer: before the crucifixion.

b. Because of its close connection to the crucifixion, some Muslims may choose to deny that the ceremony was really instituted by Jesus. Supposing they are right, then it must be asked why the account of its beginning occurs 4 times in the New Testament.

i. Possibility #1 — The disciples were lying.
•But why would they be willing to suffer and later die for a lie?

ii. Possibility #2 —The disciples were deceived.
•This is very difficult. Satan (or God) would not only have to deceive them about Jesus’ crucifixion, but he would also have to somehow change their memories about what happened during the over 3 years they spent with Jesus before the crucifixion. Could they forget all that?

c. However, if the New Testament record of how the Lord’s Supper began is true, then it is certain that Jesus expected to be crucified.

i. The ceremony itself was a prediction of the coming crucifixion.

ii. It is so closely connected with the crucifixion that if the record of its institution is trustworthy, the crucifixion must be a fact of history.

iii. Not only that, but the purpose and results of the crucifixion must also be true.

iv. In addition, the following must also be true—

a. Jesus died as a substitute for all men, taking the penalty of their sins upon himself.

b. Jesus is the only Savior and the one through whom we can come to God.

c. Islam and its teaching are leading men to hell, holding out the false hope that there is forgiveness and acceptance through the teachings and/or intercession of their prophet.

George King