The first point of reference is found in verses 54-55 of Surah Aale Imran. The main discussion begins in verse 33, where it is stated that Allah chose Adam (PBUH) and Noah (PBUH) as individuals, and the descendants of Abraham, the Israelites and the Ishmaelites, as collective groups for the roles of Prophethood (nabūwwah) and Messengership (risālah), as well as to serve as divine representatives bearing witness against mankind. The relevant verse states:
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ اصْطَفٰ٘ي اٰدَمَ وَنُوْحًا وَّاٰلَ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ وَاٰلَ عِمْرٰنَ عَلَي الْعٰلَمِيْنَ . ذُرِّيَّةًۣ بَعْضُهَا مِنْۣ بَعْضٍ وَاللّٰهُ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيْمٌ.
[These People of the Book want to argue with you.] No doubt, God, whilst giving preference to Adam and Noah, Abraham’s family and Imran’s family over all the nations chose them [to guide these nations]. They are the progeny of one another and [whatever they have been saying and doing, God is aware of it because] God hears all and knows all. (3:33-34)
Here, the Qur’an mentions Aale Imran, that is, the progeny of Imran as a prelude to the discourse to follow regarding their shining light, Jesus (PBUH). This prelude is followed by the story of Jesus’s mother, Mary (PBUH). The Almighty describes how Mary’s mother dedicated her child to Allah’s service, how Mary (PBUH) devoted herself to worship from an early age, and how Allah chose her over all women of the world so that one of Allah’s great signs manifested through her. The verses explain how Allah gave Mary (PBUH) the glad tidings of Jesus revealing to her that he would declare his prophethood while still in the cradle. The book narrates how Jesus started his prophetic mission to the Israelites, informing them of the signs bestowed upon him by Allah - healing the blind, the leper, and bringing the dead to life. He explained that he performed these miraculous acts by the permission of God. Later, when the Israelites rejected his call, he called out man ansārī ila Allāhi (who is my helper on the path of God?). The verses tell us how his disciples responded nahnu ansār Allāhi (we are the helpers of Allah).
This is the context and background in which the verses 54-55 appear. These verses make it clear that the Israelites started plotting against Jesus (PBUH) to have him crucified under false charges of any crime. Allah says that compared to His plan, their plots are insignificant. Consequently, Allah informed Jesus of His plan, stating:
وَمَكَرُوْا وَمَكَرَ اللّٰهُ وَاللّٰهُ خَيْرُ الْمٰكِرِيْنَ . اِذْ قَالَ اللّٰهُ يٰعِيْسٰ٘ي اِنِّيْ مُتَوَفِّيْكَ وَرَافِعُكَ اِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِيْنَ اتَّبَعُوْكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْ٘ا اِلٰي يَوْمِ الْقِيٰمَةِ ثُمَّ اِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَاَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيْمَا كُنْتُمْ فِيْهِ تَخْتَلِفُوْنَ.
[This is what happened] and the Israelites started to devise covert schemes [against him] and [in response] God also devised a hidden scheme and in such scheming God is the best. At that time when God said: ‘Jesus, I have decided to give you death and lift you up to Myself and I shall purify you from these who have disbelieved in you and shall grant your followers supremacy over these disbelievers until the Day of Judgement. Then to Me finally you shall all have to return. So, at that time, I shall give verdict on what you have been differing in.’ (3:54-55)