Christianity is founded on the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ. Let’s look for a moment at the difference between Christianity and Islam on the death of Christ… ‘Death by crucifixion could be sped up by breaking the person’s legs. In Jesus’ case, this was not necessary, as he was already dead (John 19:33). ‘Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water’ (v.34). At death the clot and serum of the blood separates, and this would look like blood and water. John provides good medical evidence that Jesus was truly dead.

It may be that there were already people at the time arguing that Jesus did not really die, but only seemed to. This view came to be known as ‘docetism’ from the Greek word dokew, meaning ‘seen’. Mohammed was influenced by docetic views. The Quran states, ‘They did not kill him, neither did they crucify him; it only seemed to be so’ (Sura 4:157).

Bible in One Year 2020 with Nicky Gumbel, day 151