Islamic view of the Gospel of Mark

The Gospel is mentioned specifically twelve times within the pages of the Qur'anN. J. Dawood, The Koran. London 1999.] with many other indirect references. The fact that it is mentioned in the singular indicates that there is one Gospel. Key to the understanding of the Gospel of Mark within the Islamic framework is the Christian notion of Jesus being the "Son of God". According to the Qur'an, "There is no god but God". There are indications that the Gospel of Mark is the Gospel mentioned in the Qur'an. Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the "Son of God". They believe that God was not begotten, nor does he beget. Note that most Christian scholars agree that Mark 1:1, which states "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (KJV), does not exist in the oldest manuscripts. The next mention of "Son of God" is Mark 3:11 where Jesus is called this by "unclean spirits" (KJV), then Mark 5:7 where he is called "Son of the most high God" by "a man with an unclean spirit" (KJV). Finally, "the centurion" says 'Truly this man was the "Son of God"' Mark 15:39 (KJV). Worthy of note is that this is a Roman speaking.

But Muslims blindly reject Mark 1:11, 9:6 where God Himself calls Jesus His beloved Son. Moreover, in Mark 12 Jesus tells a long parable which describes His Sonship and uniqueness in relation to other human prophets who are considered just slaves or servants of God. He draws a clear line between the other servants(Prophets) and the only Son(Jesus).

Again at Mark 14:62, Jesus Himself claims that "The Son of God" is very unique. He does not say "a son of God." Again in the following verse, Jesus claims that He will come on clouds of Heaven, which the Old Testament says only God can do. This is one among many explicit God claims of Jesus.

It is noteworthy that many Christian scholars have identified the Gospel of Mark as being the first of the four Gospels to be written, and perhaps this indicates that it was the first generally recognized and original Gospel.

The Qur'an, as explained in English, says: The angels said to Mary: "God bids you rejoice in a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary. He shall be noble in this world and in the world to come, and shall be one of those who are favoured. He shall preach to men in his cradle and in the prime of manhood, and shall lead a righteous life." (Surah 3:45-46, Dawood).

As better explained: (Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word ["Be! -- and he was! i.e. Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be Al-Masih Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah. He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous." (Al-Imran 45-46)

References

*Dawood, N. J., "The quran", Penguin Classics, (1999) 3:3,48,65 5:46,47,66,68,110 7:157 9:111 48:29 57:27 .