4.157 – they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it (only) seemed like (that) to them
This verse clearly claims that the Jews did not kill or crucify ‘Īsā. The preceding context focuses the behavior of the Jews in the past (vv. 153–56). The speech of the Jews that verse 157 opposes is their saying, “Surely we killed the Messiah.”
For an explanation of the quranic name ‘Īsā, see the comments at 2.87, and for “Messiah,” see 3.45. Of the three references to the death of ‘Īsā in the Quran, this verse has been by far the most influential. “Certainly they did not kill him.” Much less certain is the meaning of the Arabic phrase translated here by Droge as “it (only) seemed like (that) to them.” The Arabic phrase shubbiha lahum has challenged commentators and translators alike. Translators have offered a great variety of renditions, from “Only a likeness of that was shown to them” (Arberry) to “They thought they did” (N. J. Dawood).
In order to explain the enigmatic expression shubbiha lahum, Muslim commentators developed the elaborate story of a change of appearance and confusion on the part of the witnesses. Commentators wrote that Allah causes the appearance of ‘Īsā to fall on another person. In this scenario, the person now appearing like ‘Īsā is seized and crucified, while ‘Īsā is saved and taken up to heaven.