Do Not Exceed In Your Religion

Say: People of the Book, do not exceed in your religion other than the truth and do not follow the desires of a people who strayed before, and they misled many and they strayed from the evenness of the way.

The People of the Book are the Christians and Jews. They both follow a different religion. But does the author think that they have the same? The text says, "do not exceed in your religion", not 'religions'. As the author enjoins this, we might conclude that this religion is still valid. Can one exceed in truth? Who are the people that strayed and what is the way that was strayed from?

'Exceeding in your religion' is also spoken of in S 4:171.

S 4:171 People of the Book, do not exceed in your religion nor say about Allah but the truth. The Messiah Isa Son Of Maryam is only Allah’s messenger and his word which he threw to Maryam and spirit from him. So believe in Allah and his messengers and do not say Three. Cease; it is better for you. Allah is only one god. Praise be to him that he should have a child! His is what is in the skies and what is on the Earth. And Allah was sufficient as an agent.

Regarding this verse, see: A Brief Note on S 4:171