Hostility of Jews Toward Divine Prophets: Distortions and Murder

A History of Conflict: The Longstanding Hostility of Jews and Israelites toward God’s Prophets

Throughout history, divine prophets have been sent to guide humanity, but they have not always been warmly received. The Quran and historical sources identify Israelites as a people who, on numerous occasions, opposed divine prophets, murdered some of them, and distorted religious texts.

Israelites, chosen by God to receive revelation and guidance, have played a significant role in the history of religions. However, reports of disobedience, hostility, and even the murder of prophets by this group are documented in the Quran, the Old Testament, and other historical sources as well. Not only the historical arrogance and self-conceit of Jews, but also the fear of losing their positions and financial status is one of the most important reasons for the hostility of Jews to prophets, to the extent that they have distorted their holy book in line with their inhuman goals.

A notable example is the hostility of Jews toward Jesus Christ (PBUH), which is reflected in the Quran and historical accounts. Additionally, other important instances include the stories of prophets such as John the Baptist (Yahya), Zechariah, Jeremiah, David, and Solomon, as well as prophet Isaiah. The opposition and hardships imposed on Moses by Israelites are also widely known and have been addressed in other works.

This article provides a historical examination of this issue, analyzing its causes, methods, and consequences to enhance awareness and understanding.

A Historical and Quranic Analysis of Hostility of Jews Toward Divine Prophets and Its Causes

History and holy books such as the Quran have shown that Jews did not have good relations with prophets, even with their own Prophet, that is, Moses (As shown in Fig. 1)! What is stated here are just a few examples:

Hostility of Jews Toward Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great divine prophets sent to Israelites to guide them toward faith, monotheism, and social reform. However, his call was met with negative reactions from Jewish leaders and some ordinary people. Religious leaders of Jews, including priests and the Pharisees (a Jewish social movement and a school of thought), saw Jesus as a threat to their interests. By criticizing corruption in the Jewish religious system and emphasizing a return to pure divine teachings, Jesus challenged the authority of these leaders.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus accuses the Pharisees and Jewish scholars of hypocrisy and distorting religious teachings:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you burden people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers to help them” [1].

Jewish leaders not only rejected Jesus but also sought to kill him. The Quran references this matter: “And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.’ But they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but it appeared to them as if they did…” [2].

This verse emphasizes that although Jews claimed to have crucified Jesus, he was saved by God. According to historical sources and the Gospels, Jewish leaders incited the Romans by accusing Jesus of blasphemy and violating Jewish law. These actions eventually led to his trial by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.

Hostility of Jews Toward Jeremiah the Prophet

God had appointed Jeremiah to guide his people, the children of Israel, to establish the kingdom of God in the world. Since Jews were always looking for their own dominance, they began to show hostility to Jeremiah; as he told God, “I am in derision daily; everyone mocks me” [3].

Hostility of Jews Toward Jeremiah According to the Torah

Jeremiah is one of the great prophets of Israelites, who holds a significant position in the history of this people. He lived in Jerusalem in the 7th century BCE and was tasked with calling Israelites to repentance and return to God. The Book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament, attributed to this prophet, recounts his role in guiding Israelites and the events of his life.

According to the Book of Jeremiah, he was born into a family of priests and was chosen by God at a young age for prophethood: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” [4].

Jeremiah’s primary mission was to warn Israelites about their sins, especially idolatry, oppression, and religious and social corruption. He emphasized that such acts would deprive Israelites of divine blessings and ultimately lead to their destruction. One of Jeremiah’s key messages was his prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple due to Israelites’ disregard for divine commandments. He warned that if Israelites persisted in their sins, they would face attacks by the Babylonians:

“I said to them, ‘Follow my command, so that I may be your God and you may be my people… But they did not listen and walked in the stubbornness of their evil hearts’” [5].

“Therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and I will bring them against this land to destroy it’” [6].

Due to his explicit messages and severe warnings, Jeremiah faced strong resistance and hostility from Jewish leaders and the general populace. Jewish leaders perceived Jeremiah’s words as a threat to political and social stability, subjecting him to harassment and persecution. They accused him of blasphemy and treason, imprisoning him [7]. Jeremiah was frequently the target of conspiracies to kill him.

Jeremiah’s prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem [8] and Solomon’s Temple eventually came true. In 586 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem, destroyed it, and exiled many Israelites to Babylon.

Hostility of Jews Toward Jeremiah According to Talmudic Narratives

In the Talmud, Jeremiah is portrayed as a prophet with a significant role in guiding Jewish people. While some Jewish sources acknowledge his advocacy for justice and truth, they also admit that his honesty incurred the wrath of Jewish leaders.

Hostility of Jews Toward Jeremiah in Islamic Sources

The Quran does not explicitly mention Jeremiah by name, but some Muslim commentators interpret Quranic references to the prophets of Israelites as including him. Specifically, in verses that highlight the denial and murder of prophets by Jews, Jeremiah is considered one of the referenced prophets:
“…rejecting Allah’s signs, killing the prophets unjustly…” [9].

Hostility of Jews Toward Prophet Zechariah

Prophet Zechariah, one of the great prophets of Israelites and the father of Prophet John (Yahya), is mentioned in the Quran as a devout and faithful servant of God. He dedicated himself to calling people to worship God and reform society. The Quran describes him as a virtuous man and a loving father who was blessed with John after many years of prayer: “So We answered him, and gave him Yahya, and We cured his wife for him” [10].

The Torah also identifies Zechariah as one of the religious leaders and prophets of Israelites. However, it provides limited details about his death. According to Islamic traditions and historical accounts, Prophet Zechariah was killed by Jews. The Quran does not directly mention his murder, but Islamic narratives suggest he was martyred because he opposed the religious and social corruption prevalent in Jewish society.

Many Islamic traditions state that Zechariah was killed for criticizing the corruption of religious leaders and society. Historical Jewish and Islamic sources suggest that he was murdered in a temple or a public place. Despite differences in details across sources, historical accounts affirm the hostility and opposition of Israelites toward this divine prophet.

Hostility of Jews Toward Prophet John

Prophet John the Baptist was one of the great divine prophets. He emerged among Israelites and advocated for religious and social reform. Due to his outspokenness in proclaiming the truth and his opposition to corruption, he faced significant hostility that ultimately led to his martyrdom. His birth is regarded as one of God’s miracles, mentioned in both Islamic and Christian scriptures. The Quran presents Yahya as one of the great divine prophets, endowed with knowledge and wisdom from an early age. God attributes several outstanding qualities to him, including Chastity and purity, Kindness and respect toward his parents, piety and asceticism, and martyrdom in the path of God.

In the Gospel of Luke [11], John is described as the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who was barren and advanced in age. Through Zechariah’s prayers and God’s will, John was born.

The Quran similarly highlights Yahya’s miraculous birth as a sign of God’s power: “And [mention] Zechariah, when he called out to his Lord, ‘My Lord, do not leave me alone [childless], though You are the best of heirs.’… So We granted him Yahya and cured his wife for him” [12].

In both the Torah and the Gospel, John is portrayed as a great prophet who called people to repentance and a return to God. Known for his piety, asceticism, and courage, he proclaimed: “In those days, John came, preaching in the wilderness of Juda, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near’” [13].

The Quran describes Yahya as a chaste, kind, and truthful prophet:
“O John, hold on to the Scripture firmly.” And We gave him wisdom in his youth” [14].

Yahya was an outspoken critic of the corruption among the religious and social leaders of Israelites. He accused Jewish priests of hypocrisy and misuse of religion, urging people to align their lives with divine teachings: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?’” [15].

According to the Gospel, John was executed for criticizing Herod Antipas [16], the ruler of Judea, for unlawfully marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife. Herodias, offended by John’s criticism, sought his execution. Although Herod initially refrained from killing him, he eventually complied after Herodias’ daughter (Salome) requested John’s head during a banquet.

The Quran does not explicitly mention John’s martyrdom but references the general hostility of Israelites toward prophets:

We had already taken the covenant of the Children of Israel and sent to them messengers. Whenever a messenger came to them with what their souls did not desire, a group [of messengers] they denied and another group they killed. [17]

Some commentators interpret this verse as referring to the martyrdom of Prophets John and Zechariah at the hands of Israelites. John’s martyrdom reflects the deep corruption within Jewish society at the time, a corruption that ultimately led to their societal and territorial downfall. In both Christianity and Islam, John’s life and martyrdom are seen as symbols of steadfastness against corruption and injustice.

The Hostility of Jews Toward Prophet Isaiah

Prophet Isaiah (Ishaʿyāʾ) is another prophet of Israelites, whose martyrdom is mentioned in various sources. Many Jewish and Islamic historical sources state that Prophet Isaiah was killed due to his reformist messages and criticism of social and religious corruption. Jewish sources suggest that Isaiah was executed during the reign of King Manasseh.

The Hostility of Jews Toward Prophets David (Dawud) and Solomon (Sulaiman)

In Islamic and Jewish texts, Prophets David and Solomon also faced opposition from adversaries who sought to prevent them from gaining power or implementing divine commands. Although these prophets were not killed, historical records indicate enmity against them in various accounts.

Fig. 1. Hostility of Jews toward Prophets and Gabriel

Reasons for Hostility of Jews Toward Prophets

One of the primary reasons for hostility of Jews to prophets was their desire to preserve worldly and political interests. Many prophets faced social, religious, and political corruption among Israelites and called for reforms. These reforms were often perceived as threats to the authority and interests of Jewish leaders and scholars.

Such hostility often stemmed from worldly motivations and fear of major changes to the political and social order. The popularity of prophets among ordinary people threatened the position of Jewish leaders, some of whom were jealous of the prophets’ stature and influence.

The Hostility of Jews Toward Gabriel (Jibril)

Gabriel, the angel of revelation and a sacred figure in Abrahamic religions, is tasked with delivering God’s messages to prophets. He is explicitly mentioned in the Quran, the Torah, and the Bible. Despite his revered status, some Islamic texts mention hostility of Jews toward Gabriel.

In the Old Testament and the Quran, Gabriel is identified as the angel of revelation: “Say, ‘Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel—it is he who has brought the Quran down upon your heart by permission of Allah’” [18].

“And I heard a human voice calling Gabriel to explain the vision to this man” [19].

However, in later Jewish texts such as the Talmud, the direct association between Gabriel and the revelation to prophets is less emphasized.

The Quran directly addresses the hostility of Jews toward Gabriel:
“… Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His angels, His messengers, Gabriel, and Michael—then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers” [20] .

According to some Islamic narrations, the Jews of Medina (such as the Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayza tribes) expressed animosity toward Gabriel, saying:

a) Gabriel is an angel of wrath and punishment: They claimed that while Michael (Mikail), the angel of mercy and rain, was their ally, Gabriel was their enemy. Some Jews regarded Gabriel as the angel responsible for bringing divine punishment to sinful communities. They blamed him for historical events such as the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians.

b) Gabriel’s Role in the Revelation and Jewish Expectations of the Last Prophet:

Gabriel’s indication of the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) during the revelation was another reason for hostility of Jews, as they had anticipated that the last Prophet would emerge from among the Israelites.

The Jews of Medina, particularly their scholars, expected the last Prophet to descend from the lineage of Israelites. When they realized that this prophet came from the lineage of Ishmael (Arabs), they refused to accept him [21] and presented various objections, including their declared enmity toward Gabriel. In Islam, Gabriel is the intermediary for divine revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a role that Jews rejected, using it as an excuse to deny his prophethood.

Consequences of Hostility of Jews Toward Gabriel

Jews have some excuses for their hostility against Gabriel, regardless of what they are, they bring some consequences for Jews as a nation.

Denial of Divine Revelation

The hostility of Jews toward Gabriel was part of their broader opposition to divine prophets. This behavior is repeatedly condemned in the Quran: “Is it not [true] that whenever a messenger brought you something your souls did not desire, you became arrogant? And a group [of them] you denied and another group you killed” [22].

Perpetuation of Historical Resentment

The hostility to Gabriel reflects the jealousy, stubbornness, and refusal to accept divine truths that have led to the deviation of Israelites throughout history. This hostility was so intense that they even planned to kill prophets, including the prophet of Islam.

Conclusion

The stories of divine prophets and their interactions with Israelites represent the eternal struggle between truth and falsehood in history. The hostility of Jews toward divine prophets, angelic messengers like Gabriel, and even their distortion of the Torah often stemmed from the prophets’ efforts for social and religious reform, which posed a threat to the political and religious interests of Jewish leaders.

The root cause of this hostility was the Israelites’ reluctance to fully acknowledge God’s lordship. They considered themselves the chosen people of God but misunderstood this being chosen, interpreting it in terms of worldly and material gains rather than fulfilling God’s purpose for humanity and establishing a divine civilization on earth. This flawed perspective extended to their attitudes toward prophets, leading to continual deviation from the right path of history. This deviation turned them into key elements of Satan’s plan, as Satan exploits traits like resentment, ignorance, and stubbornness to infiltrate individuals and nations.

A study of Israelites’ history and their treatment of divine prophets reveals these traits as prevalent within their community, with little effort made to correct them. Instead, they repeatedly attempted to manipulate God’s religion to their own will. Such hostility was driven by factors like national pride, social corruption, and fear of change. Furthermore, the distortion of the Torah—one of the main accusations against Jews—complicated the path of guidance for future generations.

However, it is essential not to generalize these behaviors to all Jews. Studying these historical actions provides lessons in accepting guidance and avoiding prejudice and resistance to truth.

References

[1]. Luke 11:46

[2]. Quran, 4:157

[3]. Jeremiah 20:7

[4]. Ibid., 1:5

[5]. Ibid., 7:23,24

[6]. Ibid., 25:8,9

[7]. Ibid., 37:15

[8]. Ibid., 6:2-5

[9]. Quran, 4:155

[10]. Ibid., 21:90

[11]. Luke 1:57-66