4:157 and Prophet Isa’s, peace be upon him, death

I’ve seen various secular scholars of Islamic studies propose that 4:157 is not the denial of Isa’s, peace be upon him, death, rather it is the denial of the Jews’ boasting. (Like in 8:17, where Allah denies that victory was due to human support, but Himself) They say that Isa, peace be upon him, is instead suggested to have been killed by Allah before being put on the cross to save him the humiliation. Is this a valid interpretation and can one believe in this?