When comparing Jesus and Isa (the Jesus of the Koran),

we can see clear differences by exploring three questions:

 

Who is He?

 

Jesus	Isa
Virgin born; conceived by Holy Spirit (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-23; Luke 1:35).	Virgin born; created in womb of Mary by Allah; creation similar to Adam’s (Surah 3:59; 19:20-22; 21:91).
Son of God (Matt. 3:17; John 10:30).	Son of Mary (called by this name 23 times in Islamic scriptures; for example, Surah 34:45).Allah is not a father and has no sons or daughters; to say so is shirk, the unpardonable sin (see Surah 19:88-92; 112:3).
Eternal (John 8:58; John 17:5).	Created from dust, as Adam was (Surah 3:59).
Co-equal, co-eternal with the Father, Holy Spirit (John 1:1-14; Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 1:1-13).	Only a man, a prophet. It is shirk, the unpardonable sin, to ascribe deity to Jesus. Allah is not Triune (Surah 4:171; 5:73, 116).
God (John 1:1; John 10:30).	Not God (Surah 5:17, 72-3, 75). Jesus was an apostle of Allah (Surah 4:171); a messenger only (Surah 5:75; 19:30).
Greater than any man (Matt. 12:42).	A great prophet; not as great as Muhammad. Jesus was a worshiper of Allah (Surah 3:51; 9:30).
Messiah / Christ (Matt. 16:16-7; John 20:31).	Messiah only to the Jews; will proclaim Islam and establish it on the earth at his return.
The way, truth, and life (John 14:6).	Preached the truth (of Islam).
Savior of the world (Luke 2:11; John 4:42; Acts 5:31).	Prophet of Allah; human messenger.
Sinless (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15).	Righteous; obedient to Allah, as all prophets were (Surah 3:45, 49; 4:158).

What Did He Do?

 

Jesus	Isa
Became flesh, retaining His deity; adding humanity (John 1:14).	Was only flesh. Created from dust by Allah (Surah 3:59).
Called God His Father (John 5:18; 8:54; 20:17).	Called Allah his Lord and worshiped him (Surah 5:75).
Performed miracles to demonstrate His authority as Messiah and to provide a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven (John 2:11; Acts 2:22).	Performed miracles as “signs from the Lord” (Surah 3:49; 5:110).
Died on the cross for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21).	Did not die on the cross. Opinions vary as to what happened to him (he hid while one of his companions died in his place; Allah made Judas Iscariot to look like Jesus and take his place; Simon of Cyrene took Jesus’ place). Atonement for sins not necessary (Surah 17:15; 35:18).
Rose physically from the dead (Matt. 12:38-40; Rom. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:4-8; 1 Peter 1:18-21).	Did not die.
Ascended into heaven after His resurrection and is seated at the Father’s right hand (Matt. 26:64; Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55-6).	Called into heaven by Allah at the time Christians say he was crucified. Opinions vary as to whether he remains in heaven today or was sent back to earth, where he died a natural death.
Will return physically and visibly once day to establish His earthly kingdom (Matt. 24:30-1; Rev. 19:11-21).	Will return one day to proclaim Islam and establish Islam on earth. Will defeat Antichrist, kill all pigs, break all crosses, and establish 1,000 years of righteousness. Some expand on this and say he will then die and be buried beside Muhammad.

What Difference Does It Make?

 

Jesus	Isa
Sin is humanity’s problem and results in spiritual and physical death (Rom. 3:10, 23; 5:12; 6:23).	People are not fallen by nature. Sin is not humanity’s problem; ignorance of the teachings of Islam is the problem.
Christ’s finished work on the cross provides forgiveness of sin and eternal life by God’s grace through faith (John 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 4:4-5; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7).	Allah would never let his prophet die in such a way. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are achieved by submitting to Allah and performing good deeds; atonement is not needed (Surah 11:114; 17:15; 35:18).
Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6; Rom. 3:24-26).	Jesus was only a man – a good man, a prophet, and a worshiper of Allah (Surah 3:51; 19:30).
Salvation is offered freely to all (Rom. 10:13).	Allah forgives whom he pleases and punishes whom he pleases; from mankind’s perspective, our eternal destiny is fatalistically determined (Surah 11:114).
Believers are eternally secure based on the promise of God to save us and the power of God to keep us saved (John 5:24; 10:28; 1 Peter 1:3-5).	Jihad is the only eternal security (Surah 3:157).
God deals graciously with people; worship is never forced (Matt. 11:28-30).	Worship may be forced upon people (Surah 2:193; 9:29).

Additional Resources:

Download this chart as part of a package of articles on Islam (PDF)

Copyright 2008 Rob Phillips