In the Quran, Jesus is referred to as Isa ibn Maryam, or Jesus son of Mary. He is considered one of the most important prophets in Islam. However, there are some key differences between the portrayal of Jesus in the Quran versus the Bible. On day 7 of this Bible study, we will explore what the Bible teaches about who Jesus is.
Jesus is God
One of the most fundamental differences between Islam and Christianity is that Christians believe Jesus is God, while Muslims consider this to be blasphemy. However, there are many verses in the Bible that point to Jesus’ divinity.
In John 1:1 it states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse establishes that Jesus (the Word) is eternal like God and in fact is God Himself. Jesus also applied the personal name of God, “I AM”, to himself in John 8:58, connecting Him to the God of the Old Testament. Furthermore, Colossians 2:9 says, “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” This affirms that Jesus was fully divine.
Jesus himself declared, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). He did not claim to be merely a prophet or righteous man, but equated Himself with God the Father. That is why the Jewish leaders accused Him of blasphemy and sought to kill Him, “because you, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). The Bible teaches Christ’s deity unequivocally.
Jesus is the Son of God
The Bible affirms not only Christ’s divinity but also His unique relationship to God as the Son. Jesus referred to God as His Father over 200 times in the Gospels. He spoke of His eternal, intimate oneness with the Father (John 17). Jesus called Himself the “Son of God” and His adversaries recognized this as claiming equality with God (Matthew 26:63-64). The Father also declared from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love” (Matthew 3:17).
But in what sense is Jesus the “Son”? Not in a biological sense, since Jesus is eternal like the Father (John 1:1). Rather, He is called the Son in a metaphorical sense, to highlight the loving relationship between Him and the Father. Jesus alone can reveal the Father perfectly (Matthew 11:27). When we relate to Jesus as God’s Son, we are brought into the family of God.
Jesus took on human nature
A key distinction between Islam and Christianity is that Jesus is believed to be both fully divine and fully human. The Bible teaches that God the Son took on human nature to become both God and man in one person. As Philippians 2:6-7 expresses, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.”
Why did Jesus become human? Hebrews 2:17 explains, “For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God.” As a man, Jesus could empathize with our weaknesses and be our compassionate high priest representing us before God (Hebrews 4:15). Only the God-man could bring us to God.
Jesus lived a sinless life
Since Jesus is God, He alone lived a sinless life. Many prophets and righteous men had sinned, but Jesus challenged his critics, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?” (John 8:46). He lived in perfect obedience to the Father and fulfilled the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17). The book of Hebrews affirms that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus’ sinless life qualified Him to be the perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). Just as lambs offered in the Old Testament sacrifices had to be unblemished, Jesus was morally perfect and thus able to bear the sins of the world.
Jesus performed miracles
The Gospels record over 40 miracles performed by Jesus during His ministry, including healings, exorcisms, power over nature, even raising the dead. His miracles demonstrated that the kingdom of God had come and that Christ has authority over sickness, demons, death, and all creation. As Acts 10:38 states, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Jesus’ miracles were also deeply compassionate, such as when He fed the five thousand (Mark 6:30-44) or restored a widow’s son to life (Luke 7:11-17). They revealed His divine identity as well, like when He walked on water (Mark 6:45-52). Jesus’ miracles displayed His authority as God’s Son over all creation and forces which devastate human life.
Jesus made radical claims
Jesus made dramatic claims that no other prophet, religious leader, or ancient king would dare to make. He claimed to be able to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-12). He asserted that faith in Him is the only path to heaven (John 14:6). He promised eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 11:25-26). Jesus presented Himself as the object of saving faith and full allegiance.
Christ also applied grand titles to Himself which were reserved for God alone in the Old Testament. He took upon Himself the sacred name “I AM” of God (John 8:58). He claimed to be the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament (Matthew 16:16-17). Jesus even used the title “Son of Man” to refer to Himself, which in Daniel 7:13-14 refers to a divine-human figure of authority.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins
After living a perfect life, Jesus chose to be crucified on a Roman cross, despite being innocent of any crime or sin. Why did He do this? The Bible teaches that Jesus’ death was an atoning sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). Though sin deserves death (Romans 6:23), Jesus took that punishment on Himself in our place, so that we could be forgiven.
As Jesus died on the cross, He appealed to the Father for forgiveness for those crucifying Him (Luke 23:34), and took upon Himself God’s righteous wrath against sin (Romans 5:9). His sacrifice made possible redemption and reconciliation with God for all who believe (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). This was God’s plan to justify us by grace rather than works (Galatians 2:16).
Jesus rose again from the dead
The death of Jesus was not the end of His story. The Gospels record in detail His miraculous resurrection from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion. The empty tomb was discovered (Luke 24:3) and Jesus appeared alive over a forty-day period to more than five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-6), proving His resurrection. This miraculous event vindicated Christ’s claims to deity.
Jesus’ bodily resurrection guarantees believers that they too will be raised on the last day (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Death will not have the final word. As Jesus said, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). The resurrection of Christ also gives hope that a new world is coming in which righteousness will reign over all the earth (Revelation 21).
Jesus ascended into heaven
Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples over a forty-day period teaching them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Then Jesus ascended visibly up into heaven while His disciples watched (Acts 1:9-11). The book of Hebrews explains that Jesus now sits “at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:3) as King over all.
The ascension of Christ completed His earthly mission of redemption and occupies a place of highest honor and authority. Seated in heaven, Jesus intercedes for believers as our great high priest and sends the Holy Spirit to indwell us (John 16:7). One day He will visibly return to earth again in glory and power (Acts 1:11).
Jesus is the only way to salvation
Given who Jesus claimed to be and what He accomplished, He made it clear that faith in Him is the exclusive path to heaven. He stated, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). There is no salvation found in any other (Acts 4:12). Eternal life is only found in Christ.
We must respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him wholeheartedly. He said, “If you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins” (John 8:24). “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Are you ready to forsake all and come to Jesus in repentance and faith?
Jesus will judge the world
Not only did Jesus come the first time as a sacrifice for sin, but the Bible teaches He is coming again to judge the world. Jesus declared, “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22). All will stand before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10), including nonbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15). How we respond to Christ now will determine our eternal destiny.
For believers, we can have confidence on that day since Christ already took our punishment on the cross. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). But for unbelievers, Jesus will justly judge them according to their sin. Make sure you have repented and believed before that great day.
Jesus reigns as Lord of all
After ascending to heaven, Jesus sat down in the place of highest honor at God’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3). This shows His supreme authority as the eternal King who reigns over all (Philippians 2:9-11). All powers and authorities have been placed under His feet (1 Peter 3:22).
Right now, we do not yet see the full expression of Christ’s lordship on earth as sin and evil still persist. However, when Jesus returns, He will consummate His kingdom on earth and rule bodily from Jerusalem (Revelation 20:4-6). Every knee will bow to Him. Is He your Lord today? Have you submitted to His rightful rule over your life?
We must respond to Christ
You have now heard a summary of who Jesus claimed to be and what the Bible teaches about Him. The question is – how will you respond? Jesus does not allow us to remain neutral – He compels a response (Matthew 12:30). Will you repent of your sins and believe in Him, asking Him to be your Savior and Lord? Or will you reject Him?
John 3:36 warns, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” Faith requires humbly acknowledging your inability to save yourself and trusting in Christ’s atoning work. There is no salvation apart from Him. Seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6-7). Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
For those who turn to Jesus, He promises to receive you unto Himself. As John 1:12 declares, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” If you confess Christ as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Grow in relationship with Christ
Once you have come to saving faith in Jesus, your journey is just beginning. Through studying the Bible, prayer, worship with other believers, and sharing your faith, you now have the privilege of growing in your relationship with Christ.
Jesus said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). It is vital for followers of Christ to abide in Him daily and obey His commands in order to bear fruit.
The ultimate hope for believers is the promise of eternal life with Jesus. He assured His followers, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). Our citizenship is now in heaven (Philippians 3:20), so build your life around Christ and His kingdom.
As you conclude this study on the person of Jesus Christ, my prayer is that you have come to saving faith in Him. Keep seeking the Lord through studying His Word. Stay close to Christ until the day you meet Him face to face and see the King in His beauty!
