Islamic Jesus: A Different Isa
Muslims often claim they believe in Jesus—called "Isa" in Arabic. They point to his mention in the Quran as evidence of common ground between Islam and Christianity. However, the Islamic Jesus bears little resemblance to the Jesus of the New Testament. The differences are not minor variations but fundamental contradictions about his identity, mission, death, and significance.
The Quranic Portrait of Isa
The Quran mentions Isa (Jesus) in 15 suras (chapters) with approximately 93 verses. He is called "Isa ibn Maryam" (Jesus, son of Mary) and given titles like "Messiah" (al-Masih) and "Word of Allah." The Quran affirms his virgin birth, his miracles, and his role as a prophet.
"[And mention] when the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary—distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah].'" (Quran 3:45)
However, this is where the similarities end. The Quran systematically strips Jesus of his biblical identity, reducing the Second Person of the Trinity to merely another prophet in a long line of prophets—and not even the final or greatest one.
The Islamic Denial of the Crucifixion
Perhaps the most significant difference is Islam's denial that Jesus was crucified. The Quran states:
"And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain." (Quran 4:157)
This single verse demolishes the entire Christian gospel. Without the crucifixion, there is no atonement for sin. Without Jesus' death, there is no resurrection. Without the resurrection, Christianity has no foundation. As Paul wrote: "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Islamic scholars have debated who was crucified instead of Jesus—Judas, Simon of Cyrene, or an unknown substitute—but all agree Jesus was not crucified. Instead, they claim he was taken directly to heaven, preserved from the humiliation of crucifixion.
The Denial of Jesus' Divinity
The Quran explicitly and repeatedly denies that Jesus is divine or the Son of God:
"O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, 'Three'; desist—it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son." (Quran 4:171)
The Quran presents belief in Jesus' divinity as shirk (associating partners with Allah)—the unforgivable sin in Islam:
"They have certainly disbelieved who say, 'Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary' while the Messiah has said, 'O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' Indeed, he who associates others with Allah—Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire." (Quran 5:72)
This directly contradicts the New Testament, where Jesus accepts worship (Matthew 14:33, John 9:38), claims equality with God (John 10:30), and declares himself the only way to the Father (John 14:6).
Islamic Jesus as a Muslim Prophet
The Quran anachronistically portrays Jesus as a Muslim prophet who proclaimed Islam and predicted Muhammad's coming:
"And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.'" (Quran 61:6)
There is no historical evidence that Jesus predicted Muhammad. "Ahmad" (meaning "praised one") is claimed to be another form of Muhammad's name, but this connection is found nowhere in the biblical manuscripts or early Christian writings.
The Quran also claims Jesus performed miracles by Allah's permission, not by his own divine power:
"[The Day] when Allah will say, 'O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission.'" (Quran 5:110)
The Missing Jesus of History
The Islamic Jesus is disconnected from historical reality. The Quran was written 600 years after Jesus, with no chain of eyewitness testimony. Muhammad never met Jesus or his disciples. The Quran's account conflicts not only with Christian sources but also with secular Roman and Jewish sources that confirm the crucifixion.
The Roman historian Tacitus (c. 116 AD) wrote: "Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus" (Annals 15.44). The Jewish historian Josephus (c. 93-94 AD) mentioned Jesus' crucifixion under Pilate.
Even the Talmud, hostile to Christianity, confirms Jesus was executed. The crucifixion is one of the most historically certain events of ancient history, attested by multiple independent sources—Christian, Jewish, and Roman.
Fundamental Theological Contradictions
The Islamic Jesus cannot save. He is merely a prophet, not a savior. The Quran states: "The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him" (Quran 5:75). In Islam, everyone must earn their own salvation through good works and Allah's arbitrary mercy.
The biblical Jesus is the Savior who accomplishes what we cannot: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:17). He is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
The Islamic Jesus did not die for sins. The Quran denies both his crucifixion and the concept of substitutionary atonement: "And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another" (Quran 35:18). Each person stands alone before Allah on judgment day.
The biblical Jesus is the eternal Word who became flesh (John 1:1, 14), died as a substitute for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21), and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This is the heart of the Christian gospel.
Why the Difference Matters
Muslims sometimes say, "We believe in Jesus too," but this is misleading. The Islamic Jesus is a completely different figure with a different identity, mission, and message. Believing in a false Jesus does not bring salvation.
Jesus himself warned: "If anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:23-24).
Paul warned about false gospels: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!" (Galatians 1:8). The Islamic Jesus proclaims a different gospel—one of works, not grace; one without the cross, therefore without salvation.
Biblical Contrast
The Bible presents a Jesus who is fully God and fully man: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:1, 14).
Jesus claimed authority to forgive sins—something only God can do (Mark 2:5-7). He claimed eternal existence: "Before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58). He claimed equality with the Father: "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30).
His crucifixion was not a defeat but the ultimate victory over sin and death: "Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15). His resurrection proved his identity and power: "He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4).
Questions to Consider
- Why would Allah allow Christians to be deceived for 600 years about Jesus' crucifixion before correcting it through Muhammad?
- How can the Quran be considered reliable about Jesus when it was written six centuries later with no eyewitness accounts?
- If Jesus didn't die on the cross, why did thousands of early Christians willingly die as martyrs for proclaiming his crucifixion and resurrection?
- Why does the Quran contradict multiple independent historical sources (Christian, Jewish, and Roman) that confirm Jesus' crucifixion?
- If Jesus was only a prophet and not divine, why did he accept worship—something prophets in the Bible always refused?
- How can Islam claim Jesus is the Messiah while denying he accomplished what the Messiah was prophesied to do—die for the sins of humanity?
- If the Islamic Jesus cannot save, what hope does Islam offer for the forgiveness of sins?
- Why would God send his "word" (as the Quran calls Jesus) only to have that word superseded and contradicted by a later prophet?