Deliverance from the Cross — Page 39
III DEATH The Jews claimed that they had compassed the death of Jesus on the cross and that, therefore, he had become accursed in accordance with the pronouncement contained in Deut. 21:23, and thus could not be a true prophet. The Christians affirm that though Jesus had died on the cross, he rose from the dead on the third day, met his disciples on certain occasions and was then received into heaven. The Quran does not accept either claim. The death of Jesus, whether upon the cross, or later in the natural course, has continued to be a mystery and a subject of controversy over the centuries. The truth of the matter is of fundamental importance with regard to the beliefs and doctrines of the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims. A study of the question and of the evidence available must be carried out with the utmost care and in a reverent spirit. Jesus had in a manner made a prophecy which is very apposite to the problem. We read: 'Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we 39