Opus 2011-113, Koran Klarifications: Jesus and the Virgin Birth

Muslims admit that Jesus existed.  They even use some of the standard words to describe Him.  He is called Messiah, Apostle and Son of Mary.  Although the Koran is not always in agreement with the Bible,  one place there seems to be some agreement is the Virgin Birth.  This passage from the Koran sounds a lot like the Gospels:

“Remember when the angel said, ‘O Mary! Verily God announceth to thee the Word from Him: His name shall be, Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, illustrious in this world, and in the next, and one of those who have near access to God;  And He shall speak to men alike when in the cradle and when grown up; And he shall be one of the just.’  She said, ‘How, O my Lord! shall I have a son, when man hath not touched me?’ He said, ‘Thus: God will create what He will; When He decreeth a thing, He only saith, 'Be,' and it is.’”  Surah 3, “The Family of Imrhan,”  verses 45-47

Notice that an angel makes an announcement.  Mary protests that she is a virgin.  God says, “No problem.”  One added touch that seems strange to us is that it seems to say that Jesus will be talking when He is first born.

This sound good but later we will see that it is an illusion.

All Koran quotes are from the translation by Rev. J.M. Rodwell, M.A. provided by the Gutenberg Project.

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