Why Muslims and Christians Interpret Shared Biblical Passages Differently

Explore the fundamental theological reasons behind differing interpretations of the same biblical stories and figures by Christians and Muslims.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 7, 2026

Branched from How Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Interpret Sacred Texts Differently

Quick take

Both religions acknowledge common figures and narratives, but approach them with distinct theological frameworks.
A key difference is the Muslim belief that earlier scriptures were altered, while Christians uphold their texts as preserved.
The divine nature of Jesus is a central point of divergence, with Christians affirming it and Muslims seeing Jesus as a prophet.
Muslims interpret all earlier revelations through the lens of the Quran, which they believe is the final, complete, and uncorrupted word of God.

While Christianity and Islam share common figures like Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and sometimes even similar narratives found in biblical texts, their interpretations of these passages often diverge significantly. These differences stem from foundational theological beliefs about the nature of scripture, prophecy, and the identity of key figures.

Differing Views on Textual Authority

A primary reason for disagreement lies in how each faith views the integrity and preservation of earlier sacred texts. Christians generally believe that the Bible, including the Old and New Testaments, is divinely inspired and has been faithfully preserved over time, accurately reflecting God's word. While textual criticism exists, the core message and historical accounts are considered reliable.

Muslims, on the other hand, believe that God sent revelations through earlier prophets, including the Torah to Moses and the Gospels (Injil) to Jesus. However, they hold that these earlier scriptures were corrupted or altered (a concept known as *tahrif*) by humans over time, rendering their current forms unreliable as pure divine revelation. For Muslims, the Quran is the final, complete, and uncorrupted word of God, which corrects and clarifies any previous revelations.

The Role and Nature of Jesus

Perhaps the most significant point of divergence in interpreting shared passages, particularly those concerning Jesus, revolves around his divine nature. Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, part of the Holy Trinity, and divine. Passages describing his miracles, teachings, and crucifixion are interpreted through this lens, emphasizing his unique role in salvation and his identity as God incarnate.

Muslims revere Jesus (Isa in Arabic) as a highly esteemed prophet and messenger of God, born of the Virgin Mary, who performed miracles with God's permission. However, they firmly reject the idea of his divinity, his sonship of God, and the concept of the Trinity as polytheistic. For Muslims, God is one and indivisible (Tawhid), and attributing partners to Him is the gravest sin. Therefore, any biblical passage that suggests Jesus' divinity is either understood allegorically, reinterpreted, or considered a result of textual alteration.

Interpretation Through Different Lenses

Beyond textual authority and Jesus' nature, both faiths interpret stories and prophecies through their own overarching theological frameworks. Christians view the Old Testament as a preparation for and prophecy of Jesus Christ, interpreting its narratives and laws through the lens of the New Testament and the fulfillment found in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Muslims interpret all earlier revelations, including stories of prophets like Abraham and Moses, through the lens of the Quran. The Quran is seen as the ultimate criterion, confirming what is true in earlier texts and correcting what has been distorted. Therefore, a biblical story about a prophet might be accepted if it aligns with the Quran, but its specific details or implications might be reinterpreted to fit Islamic theology.

These fundamental differences in how sacred texts are viewed, the nature of prophecy, and the identity of central figures lead to distinct understandings of shared historical narratives and moral lessons. It's not simply a matter of different readings, but of entirely different theological foundations shaping the interpretive process.

Do Muslims believe in any part of the Bible?

Muslims believe in the original, uncorrupted revelations given to prophets like Moses (Torah) and Jesus (Gospels), but they believe the current versions of these texts have been altered. They rely on the Quran as the final and preserved word of God.

What is 'Tahrif'?

Tahrif is an Arabic term in Islamic theology referring to the belief that earlier divine scriptures, like the Torah and Gospels, were corrupted or altered by humans over time, either by changing the words or misinterpreting their meaning.

How do Christians and Muslims view Abraham differently?

Both revere Abraham (Ibrahim in Islam) as a pivotal prophet and patriarch. Christians see him as the father of faith, whose covenant was fulfilled in Christ. Muslims see him as a pure monotheist (hanif) who submitted entirely to God, a prototype for all Muslims, and a builder of the Kaaba.

Why is the crucifixion of Jesus a point of disagreement?

Christians believe Jesus was crucified, died, and resurrected, which is central to their doctrine of salvation. Muslims believe Jesus was not crucified but was instead raised directly to heaven by God, and someone else (or a likeness) was crucified in his place. They believe God would not allow one of His prophets to suffer such a fate.