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21
Jesus: Life and Teachings, Death, Resurrection and Ascension
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The Bible attaches great importance to Jesus through the four gospels of the New Testament, which are parallel versions of his story. Only a few verses of them can be covered here. These are limited to passages illustrating similarities and differences with what is told of Jesus in the Qur’an. The handful of verses telling of Jesus’ life and work are found in a number of surahs. Just as in its references to his birth (chapter 14), the Qur’an is very positive about his life and work. Jesus is viewed as one of the greatest prophets. The parallels between the Bible and the Qur’an are again striking. Jesus is linked to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but, in the Qur’an, Ishmael is also included. Jesus built forth on the Taurat, but introduced a number of important innovations. He cured the blind and lepers, and raised the dead. The Qur’an also pictures Jesus surrounded by his students, the disciples. Special meals play a role in both books. There are also distinct differences. The gospels call Jesus the son of God. The Qur’an says that God has no sons. He creates without the need to procreate. Allah has no one beside him. Jesus was not divine, and could not work wonders without the help of Allah. Jesus was one of the prophets and the Qur’an does not discriminate between them in the sense that one of them is better, closer to God than the others. Ranks can, however, be discerned. ‘Prophets’, people who received a message from Allah, - Moses and David for example – are placed higher than ‘messengers’ who only convey revelations given to others and/or put such revelations into practice. Jesus occupies a high position, the Gospel was revealed to him. However, he is not divine, but a mortal just like Muhammad. Jesus’ suffering is important in the biblical gospels and in the epistles of Paul; it is covered in great depth, and is central to the Christian feast of Good Friday. The suffering of Jesus figures barely or not at all in the Qur’an. The Qur’an dismisses outright the idea that the Jews crucified Jesus. Allah would not allow such a thing. If anyone was crucified, Islamic tradition has it that it was someone else, on whom Allah had bestowed the likeness of Jesus. Allah took Jesus to himself and did not let his beloved prophet be crucified. Almost all the prophets do, however, come up against the resistance of their people. Jesus, like Noah and Moses before him, is no exception to this. But in the Qur’an his difficulties did not lead to the cross. Jesus was lifted up by Allah to be close to him. He will be given the role of witness on the Last Day (see chapter 19). The resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion is central to Christian tradition and is commemorated every year at Easter. Jesus’ ascension is a separate event, and remembered at its own Christian feast. The Last Day will see the second coming of Jesus (see chapter 19). The four gospels of the Bible, which describe Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, were written by the four evangelists after the death of Jesus. In the Qur’an the Gospel is a divine message received by Jesus himself. |
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Jesus Christ, the Son of God
This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1: 1
Simon Peter (disciple of Jesus) spoke up: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16: 16
So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. Matthew 3: 16
About that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky open and the Holy Spirit coming down to him like a dove. A voice from heaven said: “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.”
Mark 1: 9-11
After Jesus had finished speaking… he… prayed: Father, the time has come for you to bring glory to your Son, in order that he may bring glory to you. And you gave him power over all people, so that he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. Now, Father, give me back the glory that I had with you before the world was created.
John 17: 1-2, 5
I pray that God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son will be kind and merciful to us! May they give us peace and truth and love.
2 John 1: 3
Jesus Christ came from the family of King David and also from the family of Abraham… his ancestors were: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob… Matthew 1: 1-2
The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honour to his Servant Jesus. Acts 3: 13
The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth. John 1: 17
Jesus the healer
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down. Jesus' disciples gathered around him, and he taught them: God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy! God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children! Matthew 5: 1-2, 7, 9
If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. Luke 6: 29
”You should pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, help us to honour your name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others.” Matthew 6: 9-10, 12
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth... he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man's eyes.The man's neighbours and the people who had seen him begging wondered… ”how can you see?” He answered: “Someone named Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. He told me to go and wash it off… When I did, I could see.” John 9: 1, 6, 8, 10-11
On his way to Jerusalem… ten men with leprosy came toward him. They stood at a distance and shouted: “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Jesus looked at them and said: “Go show yourselves to the priests.” On their way they were healed. Luke 17: 11-14
When Jesus got to Bethany, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. When Jesus had finished praying, he shouted: “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had been dead came out. His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of burial cloth, and a cloth covered his face. John 11: 17, 43-44
The law and the gospel
Don't suppose that I (Jesus) came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning. Matthew 5: 17
This is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1: 1
…if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. Mark 8: 35
The disciples
About that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night there. The next morning he called his disciples together and chose twelve of them to be his apostles. Luke 6: 12-13
Then he chose twelve of them to be his apostles, so that they could be with him. He also wanted to send them out to preach… Mark 3: 14
Bread and wine and fish
“Give us each day the food we need.”
Luke 11: 3
Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people. There were about five thousand men who ate, not counting the women and children. Matthew 14: 19-21
During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said: “Take this and eat it. This is my body.” Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said: “Take this and drink it. This is my blood… It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven. Matthew 26: 26-28
Jesus crucified
But you can be sure that no prophets are liked by the people of their own hometown. Luke 4: 24
But they kept shouting: “Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!” Luke 23: 21
The governor's soldiers… made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head… When the (Roman, ed) soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they… led him off to be nailed to a cross. Matthew 27: 27, 29, 31
At noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until three o'clock. Then about that time Jesus shouted: “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” Once again Jesus shouted, and then he died. At once the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart. The officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw everything else that happened. They were frightened and said: “This man really was God's Son!” Matthew 27: 45-47, 50-51, 54
He took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in fine cloth. Then he put it in a tomb that had been cut out of solid rock and had never been used. Luke 23: 53
Resurrection and ascension
The Sabbath was over... when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord's angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel said to the women: “Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn't here! God has raised him to life… Matthew 28: 1-3, 5-6
…after Jesus had suffered and died, he proved in many ways that he had been raised from death. Acts 1: 3
Jesus… was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. They said: “Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way that you have seen him go.” Acts 1: 9-11
Yes,… Jesus answered. “Soon you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God All-Powerful” Mark 14: 62 |
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Christ Jesus not God’s son
Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah 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 Allah. Surah 3: 45
O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His apostles. Say not “Trinity”: desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah. Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs. Surah 4: 171
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. Surah 112: 1-4
When He determines a matter, He only says to it: “Be”, and it is. Surah 19: 35
And behold! Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah?” He will say: “Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say).” “Never said I to them aught except what Thou didst command me to say, to wit, 'worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord'…” Surah 5: 116-117
For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son. Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (Allah) Most Gracious as a servant. Surah 19: 92-93
Say ye: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob… and that given to Moses and Jesus… We (believers) make no difference between one and another of them…” Surah 2: 136
Those apostles We endowed with gifts, some above others: To one of them Allah spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honour). Surah 2: 253
We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit. Surah 2: 87
The man of compassion
“(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; Surah 19: 32
“And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live. Surah 19: 31
“And (appoint him) (Jesus) an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): ‘I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord… And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave... Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe. It is Allah Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a Way that is straight.'“ Surah 3: 49, 51
We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him ('Isa) Compassion and Mercy. Surah 57: 27
Torah and Gospel
Then will Allah say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee… I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel…” Surah 5: 110
He (Jesus) said: “I am indeed a servant of Allah. He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; Surah 19: 30
And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel. Surah 3: 48
The helpers
He said: “Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah.” Said the disciples: “We are Allah’s helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims. “Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger. Then write us down among those who bear witness.”
Surah 3: 52-53
The table from Heaven
Behold! the disciples, said: “O Jesus the son of Mary! can thy Lord send down to us a table set (with viands) from heaven?” They said: “We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and to know that thou hast indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle.” Said Jesus the son of Mary: “O Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set (with viands), that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a solemn festival and a sign from thee; and provide for our sustenance, for thou art the best Sustainer (of our needs).” Allah said: “I will send it down unto you…” Surah 5: 112-115
They killed him not
Is it that whenever there comes to you an apostle with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride? Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay! Surah 2: 87
And (the unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah. Surah 3: 54
Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their (the people of the book) hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe; That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge; That they said (in boast): “We killed Christ Jesus 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. Surah 4: 155-157
Jesus raised up unto Allah
Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. Surah 4: 158
Behold! Allah said: “O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Surah 3: 55
And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against them;- Surah 4: 159
(Jesus said:) “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)”!
Surah 19: 33
Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah… Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise;- … and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against them; Surah 4: 157-159 |
Koran and Bible side by side (Marlies ter Borg & Karima Bisschop) © 2007 Unieboek bv
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