Bible Misinterpretations By Muslims

Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet but not the Son of God. When I encounter a Muslim while street evangellizing, I’ll first ask him if he agrees that a true prophet of God doesn’t lie. When the Muslim says, “yes,” then I mention that Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) I also point out that Jesus called Himself the Son of God in John 3:16; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”

Muslims seek to undermine the credibility of the Bible by calling sections of it “corrupt” that conflict with their religious book, the Koran, which was written over 500 years after the New Testament. Nevertheless, Muslims will select Bible verses taken out of context in an attempt to validate Mohammed as a prophet of God. One of which is Deuteronomy 18:18...

“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.”

Notice “Prophet” in this verse is capitalized meaning it refers to deity. Muslims will not worship a prophet. Therefore this Prophet is none other than Jesus, the Son of the Living God.

An Islamic booklet one Muslim gave me also made reference to John 1:19-21...

19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

This Islamic booklet stated that Bibles with cross-references link the words “the Prophet” with the prophecy of Deuteronomy. Therefore, Muslims conclude that Jesus Christ is not the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:18. Yet John the Baptist later declared in John 1:29, “Behold! The Lamb of God [Jesus] who takes away the sin of the world.” Muslims ignore the sin issue by focusing on good works, hoping they will do enough of them to receive eternal life.

Islam correctly affirms that in Genesis 21, Abraham had two sons named Ishmael and Isaac. But then Muslims claim that the prophet spoken of was not to come from among the Jews but from the Ishmaelites. Matthew 1:2 clearly states the Messiah descended from Isaac, not Ishmael.

Muslims also declare that Isaiah 42:1-13 is about the Servant of the Lord. This is true regarding the first nine verses where the Lord is speaking. But then there are no quotation marks around the next four verses, which is a commandment directly from the prophet Isaiah. Look specifically at verses 10 and 11...

10 Sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them!

11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.

Muslims claim Isaiah 42:11 is about their “awaited one” because Genesis 25:13 makes reference to a man named Kedar who was the second son of Ishmael, supposedly an ancestor of Mohammad. But again the Messiah clearly descended from Isaac, not Ishmael!

Always remember to speak the truth in love when ministering to a Muslim. Avoid getting into an argument. Whether or not the Muslim prays with you, end the conversation politely by thanking him for his time and say, "Jesus Loves You."

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)