Overall meaning : When the idolaters among your people, Muhammad, cite Jesus the son of Mary as an example, arguing that he is like their idols in that he is worshipped by the Christians just they worship their idols, they cried out through excess of joy at it, thinking that they have got the better of you with such tenuous argument! ‘You have already informed us, Muhammad,’ they said, ‘that Jesus son of Mary is one of Allah’s messengers and that he is better than our gods. Thus, if he is going to be in Hell on the Day of Resurrection, why, then, do you recite to us your Lord’s statement, “You and whatever you worshipped besides or instead of Allah are but the fuel of Hell (21:98)”? We are content that we and our gods should be with Jesus in Hell; for he is also worshipped besides Allah!’
Do not, therefore, pay attention to what they say, Muhammad. They cite the example of Jesus only to dispute with you using specious arguments, for they are a contentious people who are given to deploying fallacious arguments and do not really seek the truth. Jesus was but a servant of Ours whom We had graced with prophethood and whom We made an amazing sign of our power for the Children of Israel.
Had it been Our will, We could have easily replaced you all with angels to succeed one another on earth. The descent of Jesus son of Mary in the end times is a sign of the impending and fast-approaching Judgement Day. Have no doubt, therefore, about its coming, people, and obey Me: This is a straight path that leads to the truth. Do not let Satan turn you away from this straight path, for he is surely an open and outright enemy to you.
When Jesus brought the Israelites clear proofs testifying to his truthfulness, he said to them, ‘I have brought you wisdom and to make clear to you some of the things about which you differ, so fear Allah by doing what He commands and avoiding what He forbids, and obey me. Allah is my Lord and your Lord; therefore, worship Him alone: This is a straight path.’
However, the various sects of the Jews and Christians differed amongst themselves regarding Jesus: The Jews disbelieved him whereas the Christians exceeded the proper limits of veneration for him by assigning divine attributes to him. Woe, then, betide these unbelievers who differ about him, because of the painful punishment awaiting them on Judgement Day!