Jesus’ name in the Koran
Do you know how many times Jesus is mentioned in the Koran?
It is no less than 35 times; 27 times by his name “Jesus”, “عيسى” and Issa in Arabic, and 8 times as “the Messiah” or “المسيح” in Arabic.
Did you also know that Jesus is quoted, and his name used many times more in the Koran than Muhammad?
Christ is unique
Although Muslims categorically deny the divinity of Jesus Christ and curse anyone who confesses Him as Lord, the Koran significantly presents Christ “المسيح” as a unique person. Generally speaking, among modern Muslims, Jesus is of almost no importance, squeezed out by their strong devotion to Mohammed. He is almost regarded as a minor prophet whereas their sacred book treats him, it seems, as a more exceptional person than Mohammed.
What is so special about Christ?
- He had a unique and miraculous conception:
Jesus had no father like us and therefore his conception was a Divine miracle. He was conceived by virtue of the power of God himself, and not by any human or physical intervention.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. (Injil, Luke 1: 26-35)
Muslim friends wonder why Christians make so much of the birth of the Lord Jesus of a virgin, because Adam had neither father nor mother, they affirm. The difference is important: Adam was created, while Christ was born, but fatherless, because he already existed, and came to us in a human form. Its design is unparalleled. The prophet Isaiah captures the distinction perfectly over 700 years before when he prophesied of the coming Messiah:
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah says, a Child is born, but a Son is given. This emphasises that the Son existed and was a gift, but the child was conceived and born. It is especially relevant if it had said, Unto us a Son is born. Put that way, any inference to Jesus being Divine would have been lost. Isaiah goes on to say that this child is called Mighty God. The former prophets had no qualms in preparing the world to see that the Promised Messiah would come into the world.God adding to His diving nature a human nature.
He had a unique and miraculous conception.
2. He lived a unique and miraculous life
The second thing that is special about Jesus is that He said and did things that only God can say and do. He forgave sins and transformed lives. He in performed many miracles of his own authority: he raised from the dead, healed the paralyzed, restored sight to the blind, mute people were enabled to speak and lepers were cleansed and healed. He fed thousands of people with five loaves and two fish. He never reproached those who adored him for doing so, accepting their adoration as legitimate.
Jesus also spoke with unique and miraculous power. Other prophets came and spoke on behalf of God. Yet Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, … but, I say to you.” He spoke as God. He said to Lazarus, “Lazarus, come out.” The man, who had been dead for 4 days, walked out of the tomb. He, like God, spoke and it was done
He said, in John 6:63 “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Again he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25) Jesus ” went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.” (John 4:31-32)
The life of Christ was unique and supernatural.
3. He died a unique and miraculous death
The end of Jesus’ life is not like ours. He did not simply pass away. He did not need to die. He chose to die as all the prophets had foretold. He was the Lamb of God as Moses, Isaiah and John the Baptist all said. Yet the miracle is this. The bones of Jesus can not be seen anywhere. It is not because they have decayed to dust. He died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, and rose physically out of his tomb because it was not possible for him to be restrained by death. By this act (resurrection), he has conquered death. Some people believe the miracle was that he escaped death, but let us ask which is the greater miracle, to escape death or to defeat it?
The death and resurrection of Jesus were unique and miraculous.
4. His promised return will be unique and miraculous
The Messiah will return to judge the world. The role of Jesus at and in the Last Judgment, including the announcement that he will return, appears many times in the Koran and the Hadith. They simply repeated the prophecies already given over 600 years earlier by Jesus and the Apostles. In Islam and Al-Bukhari we find this approach in the two collections of so-called strong Hadiths (Sahih), based on the idea that it is Jesus who judges the world at the end of time and renders all righteousness ! According to Abu Hurayrah (one of Muhammad’s companions), Muhammad said, “By him who holds my soul in his hand, the descent of Jesus the son of Mary is imminent. He will be for you a just arbiter. He will end the war. He will lavish such goods such that no one will wish for more. (Al-Bukhaari 6/496 and Muslim 2/189).
There is another version that reinforces this, still in the collection of the strong Hadiths (sahih). Al-Bukhari No. 2222 and No. 3448, Muslim No. 155: The Prophet (Muhammad) said, “I swear by God: Issa son of Mary will come down to judge mankind with righteousness.” Such an assertion is extremely strong! At the end of time it is not Muhammad who returns to earth, but it is Jesus. These sayings are only repeats of the trustworthy prophecies made centuries before in the Injil.
Jesus Christ is therefore unique and miraculous in His conception, life, words, death and return. Does not this single him out as the most exceptional person and who has never existed in this world? Why not read for yourself the words of Jesus in their entirety?
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