Jesus of Nazareth is unarguably the most influential religious figure in human history. Revered as the Son of God by Christians, respected as a mighty prophet by Muslims, and rejected as neither Messiah nor divine by mainstream Judaism, Jesus remains at the heart of both spiritual reverence and interfaith contention. The recent Iran – Israel war, which many saw as a clash between Islam and Christianity has shown how ignorant many are about the beliefs of these religious groups about Jesus Christ. Particularly immersed in this misconception are many Christians, who think Jesus was a Jew, an Israeli, and therefore they are by religion obliged to support Israel. Scholars have argued that Jesus spoke Aramaic, and many Jews do not see him as one of their own.
Christian Beliefs about Jesus Christ
Christians believe Jesus is the divine Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, crucified for the sins of humanity, resurrected on the third day, and destined to return to judge the living and the dead (John 3:16; Matthew 28:6). He is considered the Saviour and part of the Holy Trinity —Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and salvation form the bedrock of Christian moral and spiritual life. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, New International Version).
Jesus (Prophet Isa; Peace Be Upon Him) in Islam
In Islam, Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary) is honoured as one of the greatest prophets. The Qur’an affirms his virgin birth, miracles, and ascension, and prophesies his second coming (Qur’an 3:45-55; 4:157-158). Muslims reject the crucifixion narrative, believing Jesus was not killed nor crucified, but raised up to God (Qur’an 4:157). Crucially, Jesus is not divine, and associating partners with God (shirk) is considered a grave sin. According to the Qur’an, “Indeed, the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, is a messenger of Allah…” (Qur’an 4:171, Sahih International). Accordingly, all Muslims believe in Jesus Christ, and believe in his second coming.
Jewish Views of Jesus Christ
While Jesus was a Jew and lived in a Jewish context, Judaism does not accept him as the Messiah or as divine. Jewish expectations of the Messiah involve a human leader who brings world peace, rebuilds the Temple, and gathers all Jews to Israel (Boteach, 2019). Because Jesus did not fulfil these, mainstream Judaism regards him as a false messiah or a misguided teacher.
Some Talmudic passages, such as Sanhedrin 43a and Gittin 57a, have been interpreted as condemning “Yeshua” (possibly Jesus), accusing him of sorcery and claiming he is punished in the afterlife. Scholars debate whether these truly refer to Jesus of Nazareth (Meier, 1991). Many modern rabbis emphasize these were responses to historical persecution and should not inform current interfaith attitudes.
Pilgrimage to Israel: Sacred Journey or Political Blindness?
Christians frequently travel to Israel and Palestine for spiritual pilgrimage, visiting sites like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Sea of Galilee. These are seen as the physical settings of Jesus’ life and ministry. However, many Christian tourists are unaware of the hostility faced by Christian preachers and missionaries in parts of Jerusalem, particularly from some ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups. Reports include spitting, verbal abuse, and vandalism (Halbfinger & Kershner, 2023). This creates tension: how can Christians pilgrimage to and politically support a state where elements of the local population disdain their faith?
Muslim and Christian Convergence on Jesus vs. Jewish Hostility
Both Muslims and Christians believe in Jesus’ miraculous birth, moral authority, and second coming, yet ironically, some Christians politically support a state where certain extremists harass both Muslim and Christian believers. The contradiction becomes starker when Muslims are often denied free access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while Christian preachers are spat on in the very city where Jesus once walked.
This paradox is intensified by some Evangelicals who believe modern Israel’s existence is necessary for Jesus’ return. Their support is not based on justice or human rights, but apocalyptic theology (Weber, 2004).
Ignorance or Oversight?
Many Christians, especially from the West, are not fully aware of the treatment of Christians in Israel. Their support is often based on Biblical prophecy, emotional reverence, or pilgrimage tradition, not geopolitical awareness.
Recent protests by local Christian leaders have called attention to rising hostility. In 2023, Jerusalem’s churches issued statements warning of increasing religious extremism and discrimination (Francis, 2023). However, these voices are often ignored by international Christian organizations.
My Thoughts
Jesus stands as a revered figure in Christianity and Islam, yet is rejected or even vilified in some Jewish traditions. Christian pilgrims and political backers of Israel must reconcile their faith in Jesus with the realities on the ground, where some followers of Jesus are insulted or mistreated. As faith communities grow more interconnected, there is a pressing need for informed religious practice, grounded in compassion, justice, and awareness. Christians must not only walk where Jesus walked but stand where Jesus would stand, with the oppressed, the truth, and the sacred dignity of all believers. Those who stand with Israel should be free to do so on the basis that Israel respects international laws and conventions. The mass extermination of Palestinians, especially children, must be a worry for entire humanity, not by the Muslim community alone.
Although roughly 18% of Israel’s population is Muslim, and about 2% is Christian, over 70% identify as Jewish by heritage. Yet, a significant portion among them are secular or atheist, with no active belief in God. This write-up does not aim to stir sympathy for the Palestinians, but rather to highlight why Christians and Muslims should reconsider supporting Israel purely on religious grounds. The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel is fundamentally political and strategic, not religious. In fact, Iran itself is home to the largest and oldest Jewish community in the Middle East outside Israel, underscoring that the roots of this conflict are far more complex than a clash of faiths.
FUSEINI ABDULAI BRAIMAH
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