Without the cross of Christ, there is no forgiveness of sins. Justice was paid at the cross. It’s the only way it could happen.

As the Quran is being studied, as we should all study faiths, what is discovered is that many muslims believe it says that Jesus was never crucified, that someone else was made to look like him. But if you look at this teaching in context, is that what it actually says? Dear muslims, you might want to reconsider.

Here also is the text of that document:

The Quran says the following as most muslims know:

That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Issa the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah”;- 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:– (Q 4:157)

But is it really saying that Issa was not killed? Look again.

Who is the “they” of “they killed him not”? It isn’t the Christians.

The People of the Scripture ask you to bring down to them a book from the heaven. But they had asked of Moses [even] greater than that and said, “Show us Allah outright,” so the thunderbolt struck them for their wrongdoing. Then they took the calf [for worship] after clear evidences had come to them, and We pardoned that. And We gave Moses a clear authority (Quran 4:153)

And We raised over them the mount for [refusal of] their covenant; and We said to them, “Enter the gate bowing humbly”, and We said to them, “Do not transgress on the sabbath“, and We took from them a solemn covenant. (Quran 4:154).

And [We cursed them] for their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allah and their killing of the prophets without right and their saying, “Our hearts are wrapped”. Rather, Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few. (Quran 4:155)

And [We cursed them] for their disbelief and their saying against Mary a great slander (Quran 4:156)

Clues as to how “they” are in this context:

* Moses was their leader
* They had a covenant somewhere
* They had the law among them to not transgress the Sabbath
* They did not believe in the signs
* They killed the prophets

Who does that sound like? It’s hard not to see this as anyone other than the Jewish people.

• Christians have Issa as their leader, they are never commanded to not transgress the Sabbath (Mt 12:1-8),

• Followers of Issa believed the signs but the Jews did not (Mt 16:3),

• The Christians, who were not called Christians until after Christ died, did not kill the prophets but the Jews did (Luke 13:34).

Clearly the “they” is about the Jews. And what was the problem the Quran says with these specific Jews? According to the context? It was that some of them were unbelievers.

Some of them did not believe something about Mary, likely the virgin birth (Quran 4:156). Nor did some of them believe in the Messiah but rather boasted that they had killed him.

The Quran is not saying that Issa wasn’t crucified. It is confronting the Jews saying they are wrong in thinking that they were the ones who killed Issa.

Could it be that the Quran is saying, ‘The Jews did not kill him, they only thought they did. It was Allah who killed him.’

This would be similar to the battle of Badr where it says of the muslims that they did not kill people in the battle, it was Allah. Even though we know many lives were lost at the battle of Badr at the hands of men.

It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah: when thou threwest (a handful of dust), it was not thy act, but Allah’s: in order that He might test the Believers by a gracious trial from Himself: for Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things) (Q 8:17)

That this text is saying Allah killed Issa, not the Jews, actually fits the context. How?

1) There are other verses that say that Issa died.

“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)”! (Q 19:33)

Notice the progression. He was born. He dies. Then he is raised to life again. It does not say that he was born, he was raised, and then he dies. Read it again and look at the clear order.

Another verse agrees. It says that Allah would cause Issa to die, then raise him up to himself.

Behold! Allah said: “O Issa! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself (Quran 3:55)

The translation says “I will take thee” in English. But the Arabic is Inni mutawafika which literally means “I will cause you to die.” One can even use Google translate to confirm this.

And then in this verse it seems like it is implying that the Jews killed Issa.

We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of messengers; We gave Issa the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride?- Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay! (Q 2:87)

It seems with Issa, especially considered the previous verses, that the Quran is saying that the Jews slayed Issa.

2) The very next verse says Issa was raised.

Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise; (Q 4:158).

How could he be raised if he did not die?

There’s more.

3. If Allah tricked them, then he deceived millions of people, allowing shirk for almost 600 years, and condemning them to hell-fire. How is that merciful and fair or good? If God, is honorable, would he smile on such deception?

Would Allah want to trick and deceive all the people from the AD 30’s until the 600’s and send them to hell for believing his trick and not correcting them? What kind of a God is that? And why would Allah trick the disciples of Issa (al-hawariyun) into believing something that had no purpose?

4. There is an abundance of evidence for the crucifixion of Issa Christ at the hand of the Romans in the history books.

Tacitus
Josephus
Claudius
Mara Bar Sarapian and others

For more go to www.gracedfollower.com/Islam.

5. The Torah, the Psalms and the Prophets, which the Quran affirms their authority and preservation, have many prophecies that detail the crucifixion hundreds of years prior to the arrival of Issa.

With the Dead Sea Scrolls, we have the actual texts with these references dated prior to the time of Issa. Texts dated hundreds of years before Issa. The actual prophecies themselves came 500 years before Issa.

There are amazingly specific texts about the cross such as Isaiah 53 (cross reference 1 Peter 2:24 and all the gospels) and Zechariah 11:12-13 (cross reference Matthew 26:14-16). Let’s look at Psalm 22, just one of those texts.

Psalm 22 was written by David 1000 years prior to Christ. Who does this sound like to you?

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me ; they hurl insults, shaking their heads . 8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him…”

12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax;it has melted within me. 15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

If it sounds like Jesus you would be correct. These very specific details about his death are found fulfilled in the New Testament. Look at the chart from www.biblecentral.info

The text is clearly about Jesus. Why would God go to such great lengths to detail the death of Jesus if He had no intent in fulfilling them? The truth is, God did fulfill these texts in the death of Jesus on the cross.