What does the Bible say about worshiping Jesus?

Definition and Core Concepts

Worship in the context of Scripture involves reverence, adoration, and acknowledgment of divine status. In many passages of both the Old and New Testaments, worship is directed exclusively to the one true God. However, the New Testament identifies Jesus as worthy of the same honor and adoration.

Throughout biblical narrative, worship includes acts such as bowing (Acts 10:25–26), praising (Luke 24:52–53), and confession of faith (Romans 10:9). The Bible also portrays worship as something done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). In multiple instances, the texts show Jesus receiving these honors with divine prerogative.

Explicit Examples of Worshiping Jesus

One of the earliest recorded instances of worshiping Jesus occurs when the Magi come to pay Him homage:

• “On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

After His resurrection, the disciples worship Him:

• “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17)

Another clear example is found when the formerly blind man recognizes Jesus’ identity:

• “Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped Him.” (John 9:38)

These passages illustrate how individuals who encountered Jesus in a salvific or revelatory way responded by bowing down, worshiping, or adoring Him as Lord.

Declarations of Jesus’ Divine Status

The New Testament repeatedly associates Jesus with the divine name and attributes.

• Thomas addresses Him as “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

• Philippians 2:9–11 asserts that every knee in heaven and on earth will bow to Jesus and every tongue confess that He is Lord.

• The Gospel of John opens by calling Him the Word, who “was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Such affirmations reinforce the conclusion that the Bible presents Jesus as more than a prophet or teacher, but rather as God incarnate, worthy of the worship that belongs to God alone.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The Hebrew Scriptures point to the coming Messiah and attribute divine titles and roles to this expected Savior. Passages such as Isaiah 9:6–7 foretell a child who will be called “Mighty God” and whose government will never end. Psalm 110:1 depicts a figure exalted at God’s right hand. These indicators prepare the way for understanding why Jesus, as the Messiah, legitimately receives worship.

Worship Differentiation in the New Testament

In the book of Revelation, there are critical examples of individuals trying to worship angels, and the angels immediately direct them to worship God alone (Revelation 19:10; 22:8–9). By contrast, Jesus never corrects or rebukes worship offered to Him. This difference underscores that while angels and created beings must reject worship, Jesus does not, reflecting His divine identity.

Manuscript Evidence and Early Christian Practice

In early Christian writings outside the Bible, there are references to worship practices centered on Jesus. Ancient documents, such as Pliny the Younger’s letter to Emperor Trajan (circa AD 112), describe Christians “singing hymns to Christ as to a god.” The Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient manuscripts also lend weight to the reliability of Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Christ. Modern textual critics have extensively confirmed that passages highlighting the worship of Jesus (for example, the ending of Matthew’s Gospel, John’s Gospel, and Pauline letters) are present in reliable manuscripts dating back to the earliest centuries.

Researchers have documented a remarkable consistency in copies of the New Testament (including fragments like Papyrus 52, dated around AD 125). These manuscripts show that Jesus’ identity and worship have remained integral to Christian belief from the earliest records. The extensive compilation of manuscripts corroborates references to worshiping Jesus as a central theme, rather than a later addition.

Theological Implications of Worshiping Jesus

Worshiping Jesus implies a belief in His divinity, the unity of His person with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and His role as Savior. John 5:23 states, “that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” According to Scripture, acknowledging Jesus’ divine lordship is part of authentic faith. As noted in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Unified Teaching in Scripture

Scripture stands unified on the principle: worship belongs only to God. Yet the same Scriptures repeatedly present Jesus as a recipient of worship and praise. Such a pattern supports the biblical affirmation of Jesus as fully God. This is not a minor or contradictory element; it is a continuous theme woven from the Gospels through Revelation.

Practical Aspects of Worship

Worship of Jesus can be expressed in diverse ways—prayer (John 14:13–14), singing praise (Ephesians 5:19), giving testimony of faith (1 Peter 3:15), and service (Matthew 25:40). The Bible also underscores the importance of worship in helping believers deepen their relationship with Him and aligning their hearts with God’s purposes.

Conclusion

From the first worship by the Magi to the declarations of the disciples and the early church, Scripture consistently shows that Jesus is rightly worshiped as God. Key biblical passages provide explicit examples, doctrinal clarifications, and theological foundations for offering Him the worship due to God alone. Manuscript evidence and historical documentation reinforce that this practice of worshiping Jesus was present and authoritative from Christianity’s earliest days.

Thus, the Bible’s testimony—supported by textual, historical, and spiritual evidence—presents a cohesive and compelling case: Jesus Christ is to be worshiped as Lord and God, in alignment with the overarching scriptural command to worship the one true God.