Jesus Was Worshiped by His Believers

And going and 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.

Muslims frequently challenge Christians with the question, “Where did Jesus ever say, ‘Worship me’?” This argument assumes that Jesus’ divinity can only be established if He explicitly uttered those exact words. However, this standard overlooks an important biblical principle: a person’s identity is revealed not only through what they say, but also through what they do, how others respond to them, and whether they approve or reject those responses.

The New Testament repeatedly records that Jesus received worship from various individuals throughout His life. One of the earliest examples appears immediately after His birth, when the Magi traveled from a distant land to pay Him homage (Matthew 2:1–11). These visitors were not Jews awaiting Israel’s Messiah, yet they were supernaturally guided to the child Jesus, indicating that His birth was of universal and divine significance rather than merely a local Jewish event.

The same pattern continues throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry. His disciples, as well as many others, worshiped Him on numerous occasions. Significantly, Jesus never rebuked them or redirected their worship to God the Father, as faithful prophets and angels consistently did when people attempted to worship them. Instead, He accepted their worship, a response that carries profound theological significance. Within the Jewish understanding of monotheism, worship belongs to God alone. Therefore, Jesus’ acceptance of worship is powerful evidence of His unique divine identity.

Despite these biblical testimonies, Muslims and some non-Catholic Christians reject the conclusion that Jesus is God. They often argue that Jesus never explicitly commanded people to worship Him and interpret selected passages in an effort to deny His divinity. Yet a careful reading of Scripture demonstrates that the biblical evidence extends far beyond a single quotation. The cumulative testimony of the New Testament presents Jesus as one who not only received worship but accepted it without correction—something that would have been inappropriate for any mere human being.

The following biblical passages illustrate that Jesus was worshiped during His earthly ministry and that He accepted such worship, providing compelling evidence for His divine nature.

1. [Matthew 2:11] And going and 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.

2. [Matthew 8:2] And, behold, there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

3. [Matthew 14:33] And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

4. [Matthew 15:25] Then came she and worshiped him, saying, Lord, help me.

5. [Matthew 28:9] And behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings!” And having approached, they took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.

6. [Matthew 28:17-18] And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me”

7. [Luke 24:50-52] When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up His hands and blessed them, while He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into Heaven, then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

8. [John 1:1-2] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made

9. [John 9:38] He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped

10. [John 20:27-28] Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

11. [Acts 16:31] And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

12. [Hebrews 1:6] And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

13. [Philippians 2:10] So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

14. [Titus 2:13] Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ 

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