2.101 – When a messenger came to them from God

Here the Quran speaks to an audience about “a messenger” (rasūl) and claims that he comes from Allah to people “who were given the book.” This is the first occurrence of this kind of “self-referential” affirmation of a messenger and his recitations, but it repeats many times throughout the Quran (e.g., vv. 108, 151).

Muslims understand the unnamed messenger in this sūra to be Muhammad. That name does not appear until 3.144, and after that it appears only three more times (33.40; 47.2; 48.29).

2.101 – confirming what was with them

The Quran frequently states that its contents confirm that which is “with” the audience. This verse charges “those who were given the Book” with the guilt of rejection, based on the claim that the messenger’s recitations confirm what they know from their scriptures. See the analysis of this claim at 46.12.