What happened to Jesus and how did he die?

“And so, for the breaking of their pledge, and their refusal to acknowledge Allah’s signs, and their slaying of prophets against all right, and their boast, “Our hearts are already full of knowledge”- not so, but Allah has sealed their hearts as a result of their denial of the truth, and now they believe in but few things.”

“And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a terrible slander.”

“And for their saying: “We have killed the Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah!” They did not kill him, nor did they impale him, but it appeared to them so. Those who dispute are in doubt of him, they have no knowledge except to follow conjecture; they certainly did not kill him.”

“Rather, Allah exalted him in his presence. Allah is Almighty, the Wise.”

Source: [Qur’an 4:155-158]

It is important to understand that the whole context of these verses is in reference to the Jews. The Qur’an asserts they, their and them all in reference to the Jews.

The Qur’an asserts that the Jews mocked Jesus, ‘We have killed the Messiah Jesus the son of Mary the messenger of Allah!‘

This is similar to the mocking recorded here:

“And they said, Prophecy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” [Matthew 26:68]

as well as:

“In the same way the chief kohen and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “But he can’t save himself. Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross, that we may see and believe.” [Mark 15:31-32]

It is important to note that the Qur’an in the above passages is not categorically denying the death of Christ Jesus. The Qur’an is refuting that the Jews were responsible.

The divine revelation of the Qur’an is categorically refuting the uncertain statement of Paul:

“For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone.” Source: (I Thessalonians 2:14-15)

This one statement ‘The Jews who killed the Lord Jesus‘ has been the bedrock for Christian hatred of Jews for centuries. They were called ‘Christ Killers‘ and guilty of committing deicide. Upon this statement Jews were put in ghettos.

The Protestant Reformer Martin Luther wrote a book: “The Jews and their Lies.”

Some of Martin Luther’s comments were:

That the Jews were: “venomous beasts, vipers, disgusting scum, canders, devils incarnate.”

He also stated: “Their private houses must be destroyed and devastated, they could be lodged in stables. Let the magistrates burn their synagogues and let whatever escapes be covered with sand and mud. Let them be forced to work, and if this avails nothing, we will be compelled to expel them like dogs in order not to expose ourselves to incurring divine wrath and eternal damnation from the Jews and their lies.”

At one point he wrote: “…we are at fault in not slaying them...”

There can be no doubt that such sentiment was influential among Christians who did what they did to the Jews during World War 2.

Prior to that history tells us that:

“On 31 March 1492 Ferdinand 2 of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, the rulers of Spain in 1492, declared that all Jews in their territories should either convert to Christianity or leave the country.”

Less you the reader feel I digress it is very important that I give you just an over view of the why the Qur’an clears the Jews of this false charge as well as the theological, social and political impact that such a belief had among Christians towards the Jews.

So not only does the Qur’an correct the statement of Paul it also clearly refutes the idea that the Jews did either of two things:

“They did not kill him, nor did they impale him.”

‘They did not kill him‘, is a very general meaning.

This in reference to the idea circulating from oral traditions that Jesus was stoned to death and his body was impaled.

Remember that according to the Gospel of John the Jews say to Pilate:

“Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected.” [John 18:31]

However, this itself is flatly contradicted by the following:

“Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council.” [Acts 6:11-12]

” The Jews and religious leaders listened to Stephen. Then they became angry and began to grind their teeth at him.  He was filled with the Holy Spirit. As he looked up to heaven, he saw the shining-greatness of God and Jesus standing at the right side of God.  He said, “See! I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!”  They cried out with loud voices. They put their hands over their ears and they all pushed on him.  Then they took him out of the city and threw stones at him. The men who were throwing the stones laid their coats down in front of a young man named Saul.  While they threw stones at Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  After that he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.” [Acts 7:54-60]

In fact several times the Gospel accounts tell us that the Jews tried to stone Jesus.

“At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” [John 8:59]

“Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him..” [John 10:31]

Those Jews certainly don’t sound like people who would say, ” But we have no right to execute anyone, “

Other writings assert that Jesus was killed AND THAN displayed in a tree.

“The mishna teaches that a crier goes out before the condemned man. This indicates that it is only before him, i.e., while he is being led to his execution, that yes, the crier goes out, but from the outset, before the accused is convicted, he does not go out. The Gemara raises a difficulty: But isn’t it taught in a baraita: On Passover Eve they hung the corpse of Jesus the Nazarene after they killed him by way of stoning. And a crier went out before him for forty days, publicly proclaiming: Jesus the Nazarene is going out to be stoned because he practiced sorcery, incited people to idol worship, and led the Jewish people astray. Anyone who knows of a reason to acquit him should come forward and teach it on his behalf. And the court did not find a reason to acquit him, and so they stoned him and hung his corpse on Passover eve.“

Source: [ https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.43a ]

This is of course from the Jewish rabbinical literature. It asserts that Jesus was stoned to death for sorcery, idol worship and leading the Jews astray. -all charges of which Allah [swt] clears Christ Jesus from.

“And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) you when you did show them the clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.‘” [Qur’an 5:110]

By the way the above text taken from the Jewish Sanhedrin many times I have noted that Christian apologist will cut the passage up and not mention anything about stoning. Some people can be very slippery.

“And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and  hanged on a tree.” Source: [Acts 10:39]

Jesus was put to death first and than hanged on a tree.

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree.” Source: [Acts 5:30]

Jesus was put to death first and than hanged on the tree.

By the way some translations see the problem with the above text and they cover this up by saying: “Hung him on the tree and killed him.” or ‘Killed him by hanging him on the tree.” Very slippery.

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangs on a TREE.” [Galatians 3:13]

(This is the text, that will come back to haunt the Christians.)

Note: The above-mentioned verse is found here:

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 were the person was hung in an actual TREE!

“If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not listen to them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out to the elders of his city, and to the gate of his place; And they will say to the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city should stone him with stones, that he will die: so that you put evil away from among you; and all Israel will hear, and fear. “

“If a man guilty of a sin worthy of death,and is put to death AND his corpse hung on a tree, it shall not remain on the tree overnight. You shall bury it the same day, otherwise, since God’s curse rest on him who hangs on a tree, you will defile the land which the Lord, your God is giving you as an inheritance.” Source: [ DEUTERONOMY 21:18-23 ]

‘Hung on a tree‘ or ‘impaled on a tree.’

In any case the hanging or impaling was not the means used to execute the criminal; he was first put to death by the ordinary means, stoning, and his corpse was then exposed on high as a salutary warning for others.”
Source: (New American Bible pg. 180 commentary on Deuteronomy 21)

So what is the objective of Qur’an 4:157-158 ?

a) It clears the Jews of the accusation from Christians that the Jews killed Christ Jesus.

b) It repudiates the claims of those Jews who claimed that they stoned Jesus to death; or killed him in any way shape or form.

c) It repudiates the claims of those Christians who say that Jesus died on the double cross. The text clearly mentions salabu-impailed. Jesus died by being impailed.

d) In connection to this it repudiates the claim that Jesus became a curse or accursed thus dealing a final blow to Christian theology.

All of this can be seen by the following:

“Rather, Allah exalted him in his presence. Allah is Almighty, the Wise.” Source: [Qur’an 4:158]

Remember the Christians say:

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangs on a TREE.” [Galatians 3:13]

Question? Did Jesus commit a sin worthy of death?

“And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and you hang him on a TREE: his body shall not remain all night upon the TREE, but you shall in any wise bury him that day; that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God gives thee for an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)

If the answer is yes: Than Jesus is not an unblemished sacrifice!
If the answer is no: Than Jesus is obviously not accursed as he is not guilty of sin and thus never lifted anyone from any law! Allah obviously knows who is guilty and who is not.

Merely being displayed in the tree does not mean one is accursed. You have to have committed a sin worthy of death.

Paul said above in Galatians 3:13 that Jesus became a curse for us.

“Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

If no one speaking ‘by the Spirit of God‘ calls Jesus accursed I wonder what spirit motivated Paul to make such a statement?

Accursed has reference to the state of one’s heart. This is not something to attribute to a messenger of Allah.

“When you do read the Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan the l-rajimi.” [Qur’an 16:98]

l-rajimi means the rejected, accursed or stoned. To this verse is also a rejection of the claims of Christians that Jesus became a curse, or the Jews claim that Jesus was stoned or the overall claim by those who never accepted him as being rejected.

All three claims in one are refuted.

This is why Christians believe that Jesus said:

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” [Matthew 27:46]

The Qur’an also repudiates the claim that Jesus was ever forsaken by Allah. Both before, during, and after the death of Jesus.

Before his death:

“Behold,” the angels told Mary, “Allah has given you the glad news of the coming birth of a son whom He calls His Word, whose name will be Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, who will be a man of honor in this life and the life to come, and who will be one of the ones nearest to Allah.” [Qur’an 3:45]

Can it be argued that there ever was a time in which Jesus was not ‘near to Allah‘?

During his death: When the Romans impaled Jesus the following was revealed to him as reassurance:

“Allah said, O Jesus, I shall cause you to die and will exalt you in my presence and shall purify you of the ungrateful disbelieving people, and shall place those who follow you above those who deny the truth, until the Day of Judgement; then to Me shall all return and I will judge between you regarding your disputes.” [Qur’an 3:55]

This is also what is meant by:

“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 Holy Spirit.” [Qur’an 5:110]

This is why we know that what Jesus actually cried out while being impaled was:

“And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Ali, lemana, shabakthani! Which means, My God, my God, for this is my purpose! [Mark 15:34 Lamsa Bible translated from Aramaic.]

After his death:

“Rather, Allah exalted him in his presence. Allah is Almighty, the Wise.” Source: [Qur’an 4:158]

” And how I prevented the children of Israel from harming you when you came to them with all evidence of the truth.” [Qur’an 5:116]

“I did not say anything to them except what you commanded me with: That worship Allah, my Lord, and your Lord.” [Qur’an 5:116]

THE LESSON FOR MUSLIMS IN THE DEATH OF JESUS AS A MARTYR.

Jesus died as a martyr against the authority of the Roman Empire.

“And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision, Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those after them who have not yet joined them – that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” [Qur’an 3:169-170]

“They did not kill him, nor did they impale him, but IT appeared to them so.” [Qur’an 4:157]

Allow me to share with you a very interesting text from the Qur’an.

The Injil or Gospel is mentioned 12 times in 12 verses of the Qur’an. In one of those verses we have the following:

“Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have  Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.” [Qur’an 9:111]

Comment: Out of all the teachings that Allah could inform us about concerning what Jesus taught in the Injil, why did Allah mention the teaching concerning martyrdom? Why would Jesus teach about ‘killing and being killed’ if he was simply a pacifist?

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” [Matthew 10:28]

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” [Luke 12:4]

This is exactly what Allah [swt] revealed to Jesus when the Romans impaled Christ Jesus.

“Allah said, O Jesus, I shall cause you to die and will exalt you in my presence and shall purify you of the ungrateful disbelieving people, and shall place those who follow you above those who deny the truth, until the Day of Judgement; then to Me shall all return and I will judge between you regarding your disputes.” [Qur’an 3:55]

Jesus received good tidings about those that will come after him and have not joined him as of yet. While the people were perceiving that Jesus had a horrible ending, the death of Jesus was a tranquil experience, and Jesus was told that he would be cleared of the falsehood said concerning him.

“It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply” [Qur’an 39:42]

“And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allah, “They are dead.” Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.[Qur’an 2:154]

“Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties in exchange for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. It is a true promise binding upon Him in the Torah and the GOSPEL and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.” [Qur’an 9:111]

Look at this astonishing verse above. That the idea of fighting in the cause of Allah [swt] killing and being killed is established in the Qur’an, the Torah and the GOSPEL.

Rather than Christ Jesus being seen as some theological projection onto Judaism a very different picture emerges. We have a Christ Jesus who was a prophet, a Messenger of Allah [swt], and figure ultimately wanted dead by the Roman authorities.

Rather than the bizarre accounts of the majority of our respected Islamic scholars (May Allah honor them). Their approach is not deny the crucifixion as a historical event but instead proclaim that Allah [swt] made someone else look like Jesus and that person took the fall for a reluctant Jesus.

Instead what emerges is a picture of a Messenger of Allah [swt] whom defiant to the end, challenged the religious authorities of his time and challenged the government of his time, ultimately leading to his trial and his death. In the face of this death Jesus became triumphant and became a symbol for martyrdom.

We also get the view made popular by the ‘Ahmadiyya Qadiani’ religion and latter propagated by Shaykh Ahmed Deedat [raheemullah] and used today by Muslim apologists like Shabir Ally, that Jesus was on a double Cross but was later taken down alive.

The problem with this is that this idea that Jesus was carrying the ‘crossbeam‘ [patibulum] is not supported by the Biblical text. It is simply based on later Christian constructs of what the term ‘stauros‘ means.

The idea of some horizontal beam with the arms stretched out on it. Which speaking of ‘stauros‘ there is no conclusive evidence that It means double cross at all.

In fact the English word ‘cross‘ doesn’t mean vertical X. or T. It simply refers to one line.

Cross means- to go across from one side of something to the other. Like when you walk across the road. It’s a straight line.

The symbol commonly used in Christianity is not even a cross, it’s a double cross. In all it’s forms and manifestations it is a double cross.

For close to 400 years the Christians did not use the double cross as symbols of their faith.

Most of the paintings that you see of Christ Jesus on the double-cross are commissioned paintings.

Lastly, those who are convinced by the ‘Ahmadiyya Qadiani‘ religion need to prove definitively from the Qur’an that  salabu means to nail someone to a double cross.

I would encourage the readers to read my article here that shows that simply is not the case:

https://primaquran.com/2020/04/12/crucifixion-or-impaled-understanding-quran-4157/

So in conclusion you have four views among the Muslims.

A ) -The double cross of Christianity is historically accurate but Jesus didn’t die on it. Instead, Allah [swt] made some random guy look like Jesus and that guy was put to death on the double-cross. Even though that has no solid evidence from the Qur’an or from the Blessed Prophet [saw]. Jesus was taken alive body and soul to heaven-going against clear evidence of the Qur’an that Jesus is dead.

B ) -The double cross of Christianity is historically accurate and Jesus was put on it and fainted. Latter his disciples took him away and mended him. He lived and died eventually in Qadian India.

C ) The double cross of Christianity his historically accurate and Jesus was put on it and fainted. Latter Jesus was take alive body and soul to heaven-going against clear evidence of the Qur’an that Jesus is dead.

D ) The double cross of Christianity is historically false. Rather than affirming a double cross the Qur’an affirms impalement. Not yielding to the Christian theological tradition one inch. Jesus is dead as per the clear evidence of the Qur’an. Jesus died as a martyr being impaled by the Roman military.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY OF JESUS?

This would be an obvious question from our Christian friends. One that they may find suspect.

The Christian version:

“Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli.” [Luke 3:23]

God incarnate was on the earth for 30 something years not really doing much of anything. Only 3 years of his life are truly important, he died on the double cross, rose from the dead and ascended bodily up into heaven.

The Muslim version:

Jesus had spent most of his life calling the children of Israel to Allah [swt] and correcting the learned on points where they were in error. Eventually certain Rabbi’s saw Jesus as a threat to their power. Jesus teachings on martyrdom were a threat to the Roman government. Jesus was charged with sedition and impailed. During impalement Allah [swt] took the soul of Jesus leaving behind his body; as he does with everyone else. His body was either given over to his followers or they stole it at night for a more proper burial.

“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.  When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,  telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’  If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”  So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.”

[Matthew 28:11-15]

Even though we have not even a shred of evidence outside of the New Testament accounts that this was a Jewish polemic directed towards Christianity, I believe it to be plausible. Namely that the disciples took the corpse of Jesus and buried in a place they found suitable.

The life of Jesus can be liken to a 3 hour blu ray in which in the Christian version the first 2 hours and 30 minutes are missing and in the Islamic version [that I believe] the last 15 minutes are missing.

What I mean by this is that the last 15 minutes are so important to Christian theology that they are obviously not going to be agreeable to what I believe.

Muslims don’t have to lose any sleep over where the bodies of prophets are buried.

“The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had already passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how We make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away!” [Qur’an 5:75]

“And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.” (Qur’an 5:83)