The Quran presents Jesus (ʿIsa عليه السلام) as the Messiah and son of Mary, an honored messenger of God—not God. Its passages describe his birth and status, his mission and miracles, and his relationship with God. The selections below are grouped by those themes so you can locate the key verses and understand what each says without treating them as isolated quotations.
Jesus is named and honored in the Quran
The Quran identifies Jesus by both his title and his family: he is the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary. In the announcement of his birth, the angels tell Mary: “Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah;” (Quran 3:45). The verse emphasizes his honor in this life and the next, as well as his nearness to God.
The Quran then affirms the truth of his story: “Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.” (Quran 19:34). Read together, these verses establish the Quran’s central description: Jesus is a uniquely honored figure, and his account is presented as true. To follow the surrounding passages rather than isolate a quotation, see this guide on how to read Quranic verses in context.
Jesus’s status: a messenger, God’s Word, and a servant
The Quran describes Jesus as a messenger and calls him God’s Word bestowed on Mary. It also describes him as “a spirit proceeding from Him,” language Muslims affirm while understanding Jesus as God’s created servant and messenger, not a part of God. The verse itself makes the distinction clear: “Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him” (Quran 4:171). It calls people to believe in God and His messengers and declares God far above having a son.
Another passage states: “He was no more than a servant: We granted Our favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel.” (Quran 43:59). In the Quran’s account, being God’s Word and receiving divine favor do not make Jesus divine; they describe his honored origin and mission. This understanding belongs to the broader Muslim belief in the messengers, explained in what the Quran teaches about belief in God’s messengers.
His mission, Gospel, and call to worship God
Jesus’s mission is connected to earlier revelation. The Quran says: “And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.” (Quran 5:46). The Gospel is described here as guidance and light, and Jesus as confirming the Law that preceded him.
Jesus also came with wisdom and clear signs, calling his people to obey God: “When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: “Now have I come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which ye dispute: therefore fear Allah and obey me.” (Quran 43:63). The Quran further reports that Jesus told the Children of Israel he was God’s messenger to them and announced a messenger to come after him, named Ahmad (Quran 61:6). These passages present Jesus within a continuing line of messengers calling people to God and conveying revelation.
Miracles and God’s favor toward Jesus and Mary
The Quran describes Jesus’s miracles as signs granted by God, not independent powers. In a passage recalling favors to Jesus and Mary, God says that Jesus spoke in childhood and adulthood, was taught scripture and wisdom, and healed those born blind and people with leprosy. The account repeatedly makes the source of these signs explicit: “thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave.” (Quran 5:110).
The repeated phrase “by My leave” is essential to the meaning: the miracles demonstrate God’s favor and power, while Jesus remains His servant and messenger. The passage also recalls God’s protection of Jesus when some among the Children of Israel opposed him. It therefore joins extraordinary signs with a clear statement about their source.
What the Quran says about Jesus’s raising and worship
Quran 3:55 records God’s words to Jesus: “O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme” (Quran 3:55). The verse also speaks of God clearing Jesus from false accusations and of people returning to God for judgment. The wording about taking and raising Jesus has been interpreted in different ways by scholars; the verse’s stated points are God’s action, Jesus’s raising, and his vindication. Avoid adding details that the passage itself does not specify.
Quran 5:116 describes a scene in which God asks Jesus whether he told people to take him and his mother as deities alongside God. Jesus denies having said what he had no right to say and affirms that he called people only to worship God, his Lord and theirs. Read alongside Quran 4:171, the passage reinforces the Quran’s distinction between honoring Jesus and worshipping him. For the text and translation of the surrounding verses, you can read these passages with translation on Quran.com.
Questions about Quran verses on Jesus
How many times is Jesus mentioned in the Quran?
Jesus is named 25 times in the Quran. Mary is also named, and several passages refer to Jesus through descriptions such as the Messiah or son of Mary.
Which Quran verse calls Jesus the Messiah?
Quran 3:45 names him “Christ Jesus, the son of Mary.” Quran 4:171 also calls him Christ Jesus son of Mary and describes him as a messenger.
Does the Quran say Jesus is the Son of God?
No. The Quran honors Jesus as the Messiah, God’s messenger, and His Word bestowed on Mary, while rejecting the idea that God has a son. See Quran 4:171.
What does Quran 3:55 say about Jesus?
It records God telling Jesus that He will take him, raise him to Himself, and clear him of the falsehoods of those who reject faith. Scholars have differed over aspects of the verse’s wording, so its details should not be extended beyond what the text states.
The key passages portray Jesus as the honored Messiah, a messenger and servant of God, supported by revelation and miracles granted by God’s permission. Use the references above to find each theme in context, then read the Quran surah by surah, with translation and recitation.
Sources quoted
Every quotation was checked word for word against the Quran and hadith texts in our database.
- Surah An-Nisa, verse 171
- Surah Maryam, verse 34
- Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 45
- Surah Az-Zukhruf, verse 63
- Surah Al-Ma’ida, verse 46
- Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 55
- Surah Al-Ma’ida, verse 110
- Surah Az-Zukhruf, verse 59
The Al Muslim Plus editorial team · tested on October 2, 2026