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40. The Virgin Birth of Jesus

 

Do you know the story of the birth of Jesus? We read about it in Matthew chapter 1 and 2 and in Luke 1 and 2. The details are amazing how God bears witness in the womb of Elizabeth that her relative Mary is bearing the Son of God.  Mary was a virgin and she didn't understand what was going on. God sent Gabriel, an angelic messenger, to tell her that through the Holy Spirit He was putting Himself, God in flesh, in the form of a baby in Jesus.  Mary was engaged to Joseph and God knew Joseph wouldn't understand. God sent in a vision an angel to bear witness to Joseph that Mary was faithful to him and that the baby was of God. As the birth happened, the testimony was announced from the angels, the shepherds, and the Magi that Jesus Christ really is the Son of God.

·      Read in The Qur’an – 3:42-47, 3:59, 3:65, 4:156, 6:101, 2:87, 19:16-35, 19:91-92, 21:17, 21:91

·      Read in the Tanakh and the Bible - Matthew 1:18-2:12, 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 1:1-2:20; John 1

 

Readings from The Qur’an:

·      The Qur'an 3:42-46. “And (remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinn) (of her lifetime)." 43. 0 Mary! "Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irka 'i (bow down) along with Ar-Raki'un (those who bow down)." … 45. (Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)!Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word ["Be!" - and he was! i.e. 'Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah 'Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah."  46. "He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous."

·      Why does the Qur’an give so much attention to Jesus’ birth?

·      Why is Jesus called the “Word”? How does this compare with John 1 in the Bible?

·      Why is Jesus called the “Messiah”? What does the Bible say about the Messiah?

·      Why are there additions of notes about “‘Be’ – and he was!” added to the original Qur’anic text? Is this an attempt to speak against Jesus being God?

·      The Qur'an 3:47. “She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me." He said: "So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: "Be!" -and it is.  48. And He (Allah) will teach him ['Isa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom), (and) the Taurat (Torah) and the lnjeel (Gospel).”

·      How could Jesus learn the teaching of Muhammad? The Sunnah?

·      The Qur'an 3:59 “Indeed, the example of Jesus in the sight of Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, “Be!” And he was!”

·      How does this compare with the description of Jesus’ birth in the Bible? Why is it so different?

·      The Qur'an 3:65. “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Ibrahim (Abraham), while the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense?”

·      What should we do if this logic is applied to the Qur’an? Since the Qur’an was not revealed until after all of the prophets of the Tanakh and the Bible?

·      The Qur'an 4:156. “And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse)”

·      If Jesus was spoken of being created out of dust like Adam, how would Mary have been pregnant and then given birth?

·      The Qur’an 6:101 “He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children when He has no wife? He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything “

·      If God can create all of the heavens and the earth with a spoken word, why can He not do as He pleases in how He desires to save mankind from sin? Why could He not send His Son to earth in the form of a baby in the womb of a virgin in order to take away the sin of the world?

·      What is the meaning of Isaiah 7:14? What is the significance of the name, “Immanuel” (God with us)?

·      Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

·      The Qur'an 2:87 “And indeed, We gave Musa (Moses) the Book and followed him up with a succession of Messengers. And We gave 'Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), clear signs and supported him with Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)]. Is it that whenever there came to you a Messenger with what you yourselves desired not, you grew arrogant? Some you disbelieved and some you killed.”

·      The Qur’an 19:16-19 “And mention in the Book (the Qur'an, O Muhammad the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east. 17. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibril (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. 18. She said: ‘Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.’ 19. (The angel) said: ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.’”

·      Why does this passage prioritize Jesus above the many other prophets? What other prophets in the Bible were spoken to by Gabriel?  Why is there a reference to the killing of prophets in this same passage about Jesus?

·      What does it mean to be “righteous”? What is the significance of the Bible’s teaching that Jesus is the only one who is without sin?

·      Hebrews 4:14–15 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

·      2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

·      The Qur’an 19:20-27 “She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?’ 21. He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah).'’22. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem). 23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: ‘Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!’ 24. Then [the babe 'Isa (Jesus) or Jibril (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: ‘Grieve not: your Lord has provided a water stream under you. 25. ‘And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you.’ 26. ‘So eat and drink and be glad. And if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.’’ 27. Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: ‘O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariyy (a mighty thing). [Tafsir At-Tabari]’”

·      Why is the Qur’anic account so different than the Biblical accounts (Matthew 1:18-2:12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-21; John 1:1-18)? What differences did you notice? What is the significance of these differences?

·      Why does the Qur’an give so much attention to the virgin birth of Jesus? How does this differ to how the Qur’an’s accounts of other prophets and their births?

·      Why would the people rejoice and praise Mary’s child (according to the Qur’an) as “a mighty thing” when he would’ve been thought to be a child of sexual immorality?

·      The Qur’an 19:29-34 “Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle? 30. ‘He ['Isa (Jesus)] said: ‘Verily I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet; 31. ‘And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live.’ 32. ‘And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.’ 33. ‘And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!’ 34. Such is 'Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (It is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).”

·      If Jesus’ speaking from the cradle is so important (according to the Qur’an), why does it not appear in any archaeological copy (manuscript) of the Bible ever discovered?

·      The Qur’an 21:91 “And she who guarded her chastity [Virgin Maryam (Mary)]: We breathed into (the sleeves of) her (shirt or garment) [through Our Ruh - Jibril (Gabriel)] and We made her and her son ['Isa (Jesus)] a sign for Al- 'Alamin (the mankind and jinn).”

·      The Qur’an 19:35 “It befits not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allah, by saying that 'Isa (Jesus) is the son of Allah]. Glorified (and Exalted) be He (above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it: "Be!" - and it is.”

·      The Qur’an 19:91-92 “That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah). 92. But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children).”

·      Why is it not suitable for God to have a son?

·      If Gabriel can “breathe” life into Mary and God “breathed” at Creation, why can God himself not “breathe” life into Mary?

·      The Qur’an 21:17 “Had We intended to take a pastime (i.e. a wife or a son), We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).”

·      While the Bible never mentions Mary as the wife of God, it does call Jesus the Son of God and fulfills the 300+ prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament. Why could God not send His Son this way? Why does the Qur’anic description of God almost always refer to Himself in the plural (We, Us, Our)?

 

Readings from The Tanakh and The Bible:

·      Matthew 1:18–25 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [19] And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. [20] But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: [23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). [24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

·      Matthew 2:1-12 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6] “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” [7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. [8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” [9] After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

·      Mark 1:1–8 “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [2] As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, [3] the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” [4] John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. [6] Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. [7] And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. [8] I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

·      Luke 1:26–56 “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [32] 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, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” [34] And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” [35] 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. [36] And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For nothing will be impossible with God.” [38] And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. [39] In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, [40] and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” [46] And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, [48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; [49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. [50] And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. [51] He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; [52] he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; [53] he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. [54] He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, [55] as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” [56] And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.”

·      Luke 2:1–21 “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. [8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. [21] And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

·      John 1:1–18 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. [8] He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. [9] The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. [11] He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. [15] (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) [16] For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”