Jesus in the Quran

Abdul is a Muslim-background follower of Christ from Pakistan who shared the following with The Tide:

Through your program, I was greatly encouraged in my faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as the greatest. He is even celebrated in the Quran, which mentions Him more than anyone else.

Do you know what the Quran says about the Lord Jesus? This valuable insight from a Muslim-background believer sheds some clues. While it is not clear whether Jesus is the most mentioned person in the Quran, it is clear that the book speaks very highly of Him. For example, the Quran affirms the virgin, sinless birth:

Then We sent to her Our angel, Gabriel, appearing before her as a man, perfectly formed. She appealed, “I truly seek refuge in the Most Compassionate from you! So leave me alone if you are God-fearing.” He responded, “I am only a messenger from your Lord, sent to bless you with a pure son.” She wondered, “How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me, nor am I unchaste?” He replied, “So will it be! Your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me. And so will We make him a sign for humanity and a mercy from Us.’ It is a matter already decreed.” (Quran 19:17-21, translated into English)

Jesus has the power to perform miracles, including giving life:

And Allah will teach him writing and wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel, and make him a messenger to the Children of Israel to proclaim, ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a ˹real˺ bird—by Allah’s Will. I will heal the blind and the leper and raise the dead to life—by Allah’s Will. And I will prophesize what you eat and store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you if you ˹truly˺ believe (Quran 4:48-49, translated into English)

The Quran even speaks of Jesus foretelling His resurrection:

Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I will be raised back to life! (Quran 19:33, translated into English)

Remember when Allah said, “O Jesus! I will take you and raise you up to Myself. I will deliver you from those who disbelieve, and elevate your followers above the disbelievers until the Day of Judgment. Then to Me you will all return, and I will settle all your disputes. (Quran 4:55, translated into English)

But the Quran diverges from Scripture in many regards. For example, the Quran denies the crucifixion:

They were condemned for breaking their covenant, rejecting Allah’s signs, killing the prophets unjustly, and for saying, “Our hearts are unreceptive!” – it is Allah Who has sealed their hearts for their disbelief, so they do not believe except for a few – and for their denial and outrageous accusation against Mary, and for boasting, “We killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” But they neither killed nor crucified him – it was only made to appear so. Even those who argue for this crucifixion are in doubt. They have no knowledge whatsoever – only making assumptions. They certainly did not kill him. Rather, Allah raised him up to Himself. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. Every one of the People of the Book will definitely believe in him before his death. And on the Day of Judgment Jesus will be a witness against them. (Quran 4:155-159, translated into English)

Nonetheless, Muslims have a high opinion about Jesus from the Quran and perceive Him to be a prophet. As they encounter this prophet through reading the Word, may their eyes be opened and may they come running towards their Maker.