The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 286
CH. 4 AN-NISA' the pronoun in would refer to the noun (a conjecture) immediately preceding it (Lane, Aqrab, Mufradāt & Lisān). In plain English, the words would mean that their knowledge about the death of Jesus on the cross was not so full and comprehensive as to have attained the stage of certainty. The expression may also mean that they certainly did not slay him or that they did not kill him as a certainty, i. e. they did not execute him in such a way as definitely assure themselves that life had indeed become extinct in him. (nor crucified him). The word is from the root ✓. They say PT. 6 Jews against Jesus: (1) his alleged illegitimate birth, and (2) his supposed death on the cross which, according to Jewish Law, was an accursed death (Deut. 21:23). The words, We did kill the Messiah, Jesus, Son of Mary-the Messenger of Allah, are spoken ironically and tauntingly, meaning, "we have killed Jesus who posed as the Messiah and a Messenger of God. " The argument of the Jews was that because Jesus died on the cross, he could not be a true Prophet according to Jewish Law. The inference was based on their sacred Scriptures; for, according to the Bible, he who is hanged is accursed of God, and a false. Prophet shall meet with destruction | صلب i. e. he burned the thing صلب الشيء means, he extracted the marrow out of the bones. means, he crucified the thief, i. e. he put him to death in a certain well-known manner (Lane & Aqrab). In crucifixion one was nailed to a framework made in the form of a cross and, being kept without food and drink, slowly died of pain, hunger, fatigue and exposure. (he was made to appear to them like one crucified). means, he made it or him to be like it or him, or he made it or him to resemble it or him. means, the matter was rendered confused, obscure or dubious to him. means, he rendered the matter confused to him (by making it to appear like some other thing); he rendered it confused, obscure or dubious to him (Lane & Aqrab). Commentary: This and the preceding verse mention two main objections of the 726 Says the Bible: "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance' (Deut. 21:23). Again: "My hand shall be upon false prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies" (Ezek. 13:9). Again: "Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in My name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land, by sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed" (Jer. 14:15). On the strength of such verses of the Bible, the Jews claimed that, as Jesus had been crucified and met with destruction, he could not be a true Prophet of God, but was a false claimant and an accursed one. Regarding the charge about the