4.174 – People! A proof has come to you from your Lord
For the second time, the Quran makes a high claim for its version of the identity of ‘Īsā (see also 3.60–62). If this verse refers to the Christology of verses 157–58 and 171–72, the Quran now claims to have provided a “proof.” Taken together with verses 162–63, 170, this represents a rather dense concentration of self-referential claims for the “revelation” of the recitation and the “inspiration” of its messenger. If so, the reader may ask whether simply stating a claim – even frequently and forcefully – amounts to a proof of its truth.