The Misunderstanding

Some Christians believe that Jesus was worshipped in the same way that God the Father was worshipped. They use examples like the verses shown below:

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him…” Matthew 2:11 NIV

“Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.” Matthew 28:9 NIV

In the original New Testament (which are written in Greek), the Greek word for the worship used in these verses is ‘proskuneo’ which means obeisance (expressing deep respect, deferential courtesy, homage, bow down) NOT Worship as the same way God the Father was worshipped.

The other type of worship used in the original New Testament (which are written in Greek) is the Greek word ‘Latreuo’ which means worshipping in a religious sense, to serve a God, perform sacred services, observance of the rights instituted for his worship (Just how God the Father is worshipped)


“and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.”Luke 2:37 RSV

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets” Acts 24:14 KJV



The above explanation proves that Jesus was not worshipped like God the Father.


Jesus said “but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God;” John 8:40

The above verse is important to understand, Jesus is referring to himself as only a man, and stating God is separate from him.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:” Acts 2:22

Jesus himself brought out the distinction clearly in attributing divinity to God alone, who was also his God, as for instance


: Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)

God is One
Jesus had not the slightest hesitation in affirming the Unity of God.