Jesus Accepted Worship
The Word That Triggered the Conversation
“My Lord and my God!”
A few days ago I received a phone call from a man asking if I could answer a question about a Scripture passage.
“Of course,” I responded enthusiastically. “I’ll give it a try.”
He asked me to read Matthew 16:16, where Peter says to Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“How can I help you with that?” I asked.
From that point on, I couldn't get a word in. The man aggressively accused me of being a false teacher for claiming that Jesus is Jehovah.
I tried slowing down the conversation so I could answer his concern and explain why I believe that, but he would have none of it. Finally, I said, “Jesus accepted worship.”
At that point he exploded into a tirade of words.
“There’s no Scripture that says that!”
“Of course there is. Let me show you,” I interjected.
But from that point on his screaming became increasingly hostile and incoherent, and eventually he hung up the phone.
He could not accept the idea that Jesus received worship because he understood the implications of it. Yet when we examine the New Testament Scriptures, we repeatedly find people worshiping Jesus, and He never rebuked them for doing so.
It is also important to note that Peter the Apostle rejected worship, as did angels (Acts 10:25–26; Revelation 22:8–9).
The Greek word for worship is proskuneó, pronounced pros-koo-neh'-o (See
Strong’s Greek #4352). It means “to worship,” “to bow down,” or “to prostrate oneself.” From this root word come related forms*.
The differences come from grammar and sentence structure, much like our English words worship, worshiping, worshiped, or acts of worship, singular and plural.
It is important to note that the New Testament does not use a lesser form or lesser tense of the word proskuneó of worship directed toward Jesus.
Let’s look at some of these worship verses directed toward God and Jesus.
Worship Toward GOD
“God is spirit, and His worshipers (proskynountas) must worship (proskynein) in spirit and truth.” — John 4:24
“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship (proskyneseis) the Lord your
God’” — Matthew 4:10
“You shall worship (proskyneseis) the Lord your God” — Luke 4:8
“And all the angels stood around the throne and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped (prosekynesan) God.” — Revelation 7:11
“The twenty-four elders fell on their faces and worshiped (prosekynesan) God.” — Revelation 11:16
Worship Toward JESUS
“A leper came and worshiped (prosekynei) Him [Jesus], saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’” — Matthew 8:2
“While He [Jesus] was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down (prosekynei) before Him, and said, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.’” — Matthew 9:18
“Then those who were in the boat worshiped (prosekynesan) Him [Jesus].” — Matthew 14:33
“But she came and worshiped (prosekynei) Him, pleading again, ‘Lord, help me!’” — Matthew 15:25
“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down (proskynousa) and making a request of Him.” — Matthew 20:20
“Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’ And he worshiped (prosekynesen) Him.” — John 9:38
After the resurrection:
“And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Rejoice!’ And they came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped (prosekynesan) Him.” — Matthew 28:9
“And when they saw Him they worshiped (prosekynesan) Him, but some doubted.” — Matthew 28:17
At Jesus’ ascension:
“Then they worshiped (proskynesantes) Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” — Luke 24:52
After doubting the resurrection, Thomas the Apostle bowed down before the risen Christ and declared the confession believers have echoed throughout the centuries: “My Lord and my God!” — John 20:28
The issue ultimately comes down to the identity of Jesus. He is God, the Word made flesh (John 1:14). If He were merely a man, accepting worship would have been blasphemy. Yet throughout the New Testament, Jesus receives worship without correction because He is far more than a prophet,
a teacher, or an angel. He is Emmanuel, “God with us”!
Since the Gospel writers used the same Greek worship language for both God and Jesus, what do you think they were intending their readers to understand about Jesus' identity?
Leave your comment: info@sundayschoolnetwork.com
Copyright 2026 S.A. Keith
*proskynountas, proskyneseis, prosekynesan,
prosekynesen, proskynetai, prosekynei, proskynousa, proskynein, and
proskynesantes.
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