The Bible contains many examples of Jesus being worshiped during his earthly ministry. This worship serves as evidence of Jesus’ divinity and his equality with God the Father. Let’s examine some of the key passages that describe Jesus receiving worship.
Wise Men Worship Jesus
After Jesus was born, wise men from the east came to worship him in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:11 says “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” This shows that soon after his birth, Jesus was recognized as worthy of worship.
A Leper Worships Jesus
In Matthew 8:2, a leper approaches Jesus and worships him, saying “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus heals the leper, demonstrating his divine authority. The leper recognized Jesus’ power and worshiped him accordingly.
Jairus Worships Jesus
When Jesus is called to heal Jairus’ sick daughter in Mark 5:22-24, Jairus falls at Jesus’ feet in worship, pleading for him to heal his daughter. Jairus worshiped Jesus in expectation of his miraculous power.
A Ruler Worships Jesus
In Matthew 9:18, a ruler comes and worships Jesus, saying “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Again, we see Jesus being recognized as worthy of worship in light of his ability to work miracles.
The Disciples Worship Jesus
After Jesus walks on water and calms the storm in Matthew 14:22-33, his disciples worship him saying “Truly you are the Son of God.” The disciples worshiped Jesus as the divine Son of God due to his authority over nature.
A Canaanite Woman Worships Jesus
In Matthew 15:22-28, a Canaanite woman recognizes Jesus’ ability to heal her daughter and cries out to him in worship, even willing to accept a place of humility unfitting for the Jews. She persisted in worshiping him as Lord.
The Mother of James and John Worships Jesus
In Matthew 20:20-28, the mother of James and John worshiped Jesus by kneeling before him and asking him to grant that her sons sit beside him in his kingdom. She recognized Jesus’ authority to grant positions of honor.
A Man Born Blind Worships Jesus
After Jesus heals a man born blind in John 9:1-38, the man worships him as the “Son of Man.” This shows that those who experienced Jesus’ miraculous power often responded in worship.
Jesus Accepts Worship
In each of these instances, Jesus accepts and commends the worship he receives. He does not correct people and explain that they should only worship God. Jesus accepts worship because he is God. This is in stark contrast to Peter’s refusal to be worshipped in Acts 10:25-26.
Women Worship Jesus After His Resurrection
Matthew 28:9 describes that after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and another Mary who “took hold of his feet and worshiped him.” Jesus again accepts their worship, as he does with Thomas in John 20:28.
Angels Instruct Humans to Worship Jesus
Not only did Jesus accept worship while on earth, but angels also instruct humans to worship Jesus according to Hebrews 1:6 which says: “And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.'” This shows Jesus continues to be worshipped.
Every Knee Will Worship Jesus
The future worship of Jesus is also described in Philippians 2:10-11: “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” All creation will ultimately worship Jesus.
Jesus Has the Name Above Every Name
Related to receiving worship, Jesus is given the name above every other name according to Philippians 2:9 – “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.” The name of Jesus denotes his divine authority.
Jesus Accepts Worship in Revelation
The book of Revelation repeatedly shows Jesus receiving worship. In Revelation 5:8-14, Jesus is worshipped alongside God the Father. And in Revelation 7:9-10, Jesus is worshipped in the heavenly throne room. Jesus accepts worship in heaven.
Only God Should be Worshipped
What makes Jesus’ acceptance of worship so significant is that throughout Scripture God makes clear he alone is to be worshipped. Exodus 20:1-6 and Deuteronomy 6:13-15 command worship of God alone.
In Acts 14:11-15, Paul and Barnabas tear their garments when the crowds try to worship them, declaring “we also are men, of like nature with you.” Only God deserves worship.
Jesus Claims Equality with God
By accepting worship, Jesus claimed equality with God. This is why in John 5:17-18 Jesus calls God his own Father, making himself equal with God. And in John 10:33 the Jews want to stone Jesus “for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
Thomas Declares Jesus as God
After doubting Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas sees the risen Christ and declares in John 20:28 “My Lord and my God!” This associates the title of God directly with Jesus.
Oneness with the Father
Jesus prays in John 17:5, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” He shares the Father’s divine glory, evidencing his eternal deity.
In John 10:30 Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one.” And in John 14:9 he tells Philip, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus claims oneness with God.
Jesus Possesses Divine Attributes
Beyond receiving worship, Jesus demonstrates many divine attributes that show him to be God. He has power over nature, forgives sin, gives eternal life, knows people’s hearts and thoughts, and more. No mere human or created being could possess these qualities.
Old Testament Prophecies of Divinity
Certain Old Testament prophecies speak of the Messiah as being divine. Isaiah 9:6 says he will be called “Mighty God.” And the title Lord used in Psalm 110:1 and throughout the Old Testament denotes divinity when applied to Christ.
Jesus Called God Directly
Jesus is directly called God multiple times. John 1:1 states “the Word was God.” And in Romans 9:5, Paul calls Christ “God blessed forever.” Titus 2:13 refers to “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
I Am Statements of Jesus
Jesus uses the phrase “I am” in a divine sense in the Gospel of John. In John 8:58 Jesus states, “before Abraham was, I am,” taking on God’s name from Exodus 3:14. This angered the Jews who tried to stone him for equating himself with God.
Worshiped Throughout the New Testament
Beyond the Gospels, Jesus is worshiped in the rest of the New Testament. Revelation 22:3 states that in the New Jerusalem the throne of God and of the Lamb will be located there, and “his servants will worship him.”
Hebrews 1:6 says again that God commands the angels to worship Jesus upon his coming into the world. 1 Peter 3:15 even instructs Christians to “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,” using worshipful language in reference to Jesus.
Conclusion
The worship Jesus receives throughout his earthly ministry and beyond provides strong evidence of his divinity and equality with God the Father. By accepting worship, Jesus was making an unequivocal claim to be God. This claim was reinforced by his divine attributes, oneness with the Father, fulfillment of prophecy, and more. The biblical evidence clearly points to Jesus as God.