(37–38) “Yet the factions differed among themselves. So woe to those who disbelieve when they witness a tremendous Day! * How keenly they will hear and see on the Day they come to Us! But today the wrongdoers are in manifest error.”
After the Exalted had made clear the truth about Jesus son of Mary—a truth admitting neither doubt nor uncertainty—He stated that the factions, meaning the misguided sects among the Jews, Christians, and others, despite their various ranks, differed concerning Jesus, peace be upon him. Some went to excess regarding him, while others disparaged him. Some said that he was Allah; others said that he was the son of Allah; and still others said that he was the third of three. Others did not even regard him as a messenger, but accused him of being born of fornication, as the Jews did. All these claims are false and their views corrupt, being founded upon doubt, obstinacy, invalid proofs, and worthless specious arguments. All such people deserve the severe warning. Hence He says, “So woe to those who disbelieve” in Allah, His messengers, and His Books. This includes the Jews and Christians who made statements of disbelief concerning Jesus. “When they witness a tremendous Day!” That is, the spectacle of the Day of Resurrection, which will be witnessed by the former and latter generations, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, the Creator and created beings. It will be filled with convulsions and terrors and will entail recompense for deeds. At that time, all that they used to conceal or disclose, and all that they used to hide, will become clear.
“How keenly they will hear and see on the Day they come to Us!” That is, how keenly they will hear and see on that Day! They will confess their disbelief, their association of partners with Allah, and their claims, saying, “Our Lord, we have seen and heard, so send us back that we may do righteous deeds. We are now certain.” At the Resurrection, they will know with certainty the true nature of their condition.
“But today the wrongdoers are in manifest error.” They have no excuse for this error, for they are either obstinate rejectors who knowingly remain astray—recognizing the truth yet turning away from it—or people who have strayed from the path of truth despite being able to discern what is true and right. Yet they are content with their error and their evil deeds and make no effort to distinguish truth from falsehood.
Consider how He says, “So woe to those who disbelieve,” after saying, “Yet the factions differed among themselves.” He did not say, “So woe to them,” which would have referred the pronoun back to all the factions. This is because one group among the differing factions reached the correct conclusion and agreed with the truth, saying of Jesus, “He is Allah’s servant and messenger.” They believed in him and followed him. Such people are believers and are not included in this warning. Allah therefore singled out the disbelievers for the warning.