Surah Maryam (Mary) 19 : 32

Overview (Verses 30 - 33)

Whereupon he said: I am a servant of God. He has vouchsafed to me revelations and made me a prophet, and made me blessed wherever I may be. He has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, not haughty or bereft of grace. Peace was on me on the day when I was born, and [will be on me] on the day of my death and on the day when I shall be raised to life again.’ (Verses 30-33)
 
Thus Jesus declared his status: a servant of God. He is not God’s son, as some sects claim; nor was he divine as claimed by others, nor one of a Trinity constituting one God while being three, as claimed by others. He declares that God has made him a prophet, which means that he was neither God’s son nor partner. God has blessed him and enjoined him to keep his prayers and be charitable throughout his life.
 
He is also enjoined to be very kind towards his mother and to show humility to his people. This means that he has a limited life duration, he dies and will be resurrected. God has bestowed on him peace, security and reassurance on the day of his birth, the day of his death and the day of his resurrection. The statement is very clear here in respect of the death and resurrection of Jesus. It admits no argument or different interpretation.
 
The Qur’ān does not add anything beyond painting this scene. It does not tell us how the people reacted to this miraculous event. Nor does it inform us what happened to Mary and her remarkable son after that. It does not mention anything about the time when he became a prophet. It simply says, quoting Jesus: “He has vouchsafed to me revelations and made me a prophet.” (Verse 30) The theme here is the birth of Jesus. Hence, when the sūrah has given its account of his birth, culminating in that miraculous scene, with Jesus talking to Mary’s family, the scene is drawn to a close. This is followed by an emphatic statement of the truth concerning Jesus.