[Muhammad Asad]
5:111 AND [remember the time] when I inspired the white-garbed ones: Believe in Me and in My Apostle!" They answered: "We believe; and bear Thou witness that we have surrendered ourselves [unto Thee]."
5:112 [And,] lo, the white-garbed ones said: "O Jesus, son of Mary! Could thy Sustainer send down unto us a repast from heaven?" [Jesus] answered: "Be conscious of God, if you are [truly] believers!"
5:113 aid they: "We desire to partake thereof, so that our hearts might be set fully at rest, and that we might know that thou hast spoken the truth to us, and that we might be of those who bear witness thereto!"
According to the translation above, does it not seem strange that the Huwareen (Disciples of Jesus AS) are described as those who believed and surrendered but soon after they seek a "proof?"
We read the same explained here[Dr Shabbir]
5:111 Recall, I told the disciples in the Gospel, "Believe in Me and in My messenger. They said, "We believe, and be Witness that we have submitted."
5:112 When the disciples said, "O Jesus, son of Mary! Is your Lord Able to send down for us a Table Spread with Heavenly sustenance? Jesus said, "Be mindful of Allah's Laws if you are believers." (Establish the Divine Order on earth and that will ensure heavenly provision in abundance and equity (7:96)."
5:113 They said, "This is exactly what we want. So that we live with a contented heart and know that your System is truly workable. And that we may be witnesses for the future generations."
[Parwez]
http://www.tolueislam.org/Parwez/expo/expo_005.htm(111) Allah further said to Jesus: "When I asked your companions through the revelation given to you 'Believe in Me and in My Rasool'"; they said "We believe and bear witness that we are Muslims."
(112) Without the establishment of the Niz'am-e-Rabubiyyat, humanity is degraded since people are generally compelled out of necessity to barter their self-respect for bread, the companions of Jesus said to him, "Is it not possible for your Rabb to establish such a system"? ********* Jesus replied: "It is possible, provided you have trust in Allah and adhere to His Laws."
(113) They said: "If this done, we will be satisfied and we will bear witness that you have indeed spoken the truth to us."
Which then, is a better rendering? Thanks.
Mubashir