summary
The Question in Brief
scripture
The Christian Story in the New Testament
Paul’s summary in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 is especially important because it is earlier than the written Gospels. It states that Christ died for sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared to named followers and others. Christian theology reads this as the heart of the apostolic proclamation.
Key passage
Bible
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Version: World English Bible
history
Where the Gospel Accounts Differ
These differences do not remove the shared Christian claim. Each Gospel presents Jesus’ death and the proclamation of his resurrection as central. The question is whether the accounts can be harmonized in detail and, more fundamentally, whether the events should be understood through the Christian or Quranic account of Jesus.
argument
Why the Resurrection Is Central to Christianity
Muslims should represent this conviction accurately. The disagreement is not over whether Christians take the events seriously, but over whether the crucifixion occurred and whether Jesus should be understood as a divine savior.
scripture
The Quranic Account of Jesus
The Quran does not name another person who was crucified in Jesus’ place. Classical Muslim commentators offered more than one explanation of the phrase that the event was made to appear so, including substitution accounts and readings centered on confusion or appearance. The core Islamic belief is the Quran’s clear denial that Jesus was killed by his enemies and its affirmation that Allah saved and raised him.
Key passage
Quran
وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا ٱلْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّۢ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًۢا
سورة النساء · الآية ١٥٧
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
Translation: Saheeh International
argument
The Central Difference
The disagreement cannot be reduced to a minor chronological question. It concerns revelation, the nature of God, the identity of Jesus, and how God forgives. Both accounts should be considered from their own primary texts before their claims are compared.
summary
Why This Matters: The Passion Narrative: The Story of Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection
notes
Frequently Asked Questions
A: No. They share the central story but differ in literary arrangement and individual details. Christians commonly read the accounts as complementary; historical-critical scholars often analyze the differences as evidence of each author’s distinctive sources and aims.
Q: Does Islam deny Jesus?
A: No. Belief in Jesus as the Messiah and a messenger of Allah is required in Islam. The Quran affirms his virgin birth and miracles by Allah’s permission while rejecting his divinity and crucifixion.
Q: Does the Quran identify someone else who was crucified?
A: No. Quran 4:157 does not name a substitute. Muslim commentators have differed about the details, but the verse’s central claim is that Jesus was not killed or crucified by his enemies.
Q: Why does this disagreement matter?
A: The crucifixion and resurrection are central to Christian salvation theology, while Islam’s account safeguards the absolute oneness of God and Jesus’ status as His honored messenger.
sources
Further Reading
Sources
Sources and further reading
Primary texts and works cited in this article.
The Quran — Tanzil Uthmani text with Saheeh International translation
quran
Source linkUthmani-script Arabic text from Tanzil with the Saheeh International English translation.
The Holy Bible, World English Bible (public domain)
bible
Source linkPublic-domain English translation from the World English Bible.
The Crucifixion and the Qur’an: A Study in the History of Muslim Thought
book | Todd Lawson
A scholarly study of Muslim interpretations of Quran 4:157.
The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach
book | Michael R. Licona
A detailed Christian historical defense of the resurrection.
The Historical Figure of Jesus
book | E. P. Sanders
An accessible historical portrait of Jesus's life and practice.