Who should be worshipped?

Question

When Satan bargained with Jesus to bow down and worship him, Jesus made it clear that we should worship only God alone, correct?

Matthew 4:10
Then Jesus said to him, “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only shall you serve."

So why did He not stop, rebuke, or correct all the various people that worshipped Him?

ref. John 20:28, Matthew 2:2, Matthew 8:2, Matthew 9:18, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 15:25, Matthew 28:17, John 9:35-39, and Revelation 5:12

David P - I looked it up for you. The word "worship" in Greek is proskuneo, meaning homage shown to men and beings of superior rank. Such worship was refused by Peter in Acts 10:25, repulsed twice by the angel to John in Revelation 19:10 & 22:9, and its acceptance was the penalty of Herod's death in Acts 12:23.

Answer 1

We worship God who has revealed Himself to us in three persons.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:6-9

In this next passage, it's obvious that it is Jesus speaking who was dead and is alive again.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:8-18

Here Jesus says that He is God.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:6-7

The Holy Spirit who is the third person of the trinity can be worshipped, however someone who places undo emphasis on that member of the trinity may have a spirit that is not holy since Jesus told us....

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 15:26

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13-14

Answer 2

This is one of the many reasons people consider the Bible - especially the NT - to be filled with inconsistencies. Yet the terms "God", "one", and "worhip(ped)" are likely to have different connotations depending on the context and which word was used in the original. Early church fathers such as Papias and Eusebius document that Matthew - which is thought to be the first gospel - was originally written in Hebrew. A copy of that no longer exists, though Du Tillet claimed to have wrested one from the Vatican and did a translation in the late middle ages. I would not necessarily trust the "original Greek" because it may not be that original at all - frankly the Alexandrian texts are most likely corrupted and not as good as the Peshitta which is in Aramaic (a different dialect of it than used in 1st century Judea though).

What I am getting at is that though your example suggests that "Jesus" is God, there are several verses and episodes in the Bible you are quoting from (whichever you are using) that show the opposite. E.g., Matthew 24:26, Matthew 26:38-42, John 6:34-40. How can he & God have separate wills in Matthew 26:39 & John 6:38 if they are one and the same? - and yes, in John just 2 chapters later, he implies he and God are one and the same. I would think the author would realize he was being inconsistent - but then again people thought differently those days. They were telling a story and trying to make converts - sell a religion to people in a sense. They would probably be amazed at how we pick at verses, find inconsistencies, etc. I could imagine one of them saying in response "yes, that seems inconsistent - but the important thing is "Christ" was sent from God...".

So I have yet to see the explanation from any side regarding this which completely satisfies me.

Answer 3

The "theological" answer to the question is that Jesus knew himself to be God and so of course he would not rebuke anyone for worshipping him. To worship Jesus IS to obey Matthew 4:10.

From a non-committed historical perspective, however, one might say that the sources claiming that Jesus was worshipped were written too long after the events to be verifiable. The age of the texts and their literary genre and purpose would be analyzed to see what role the stories of worship played in the narrative.

And now for the way I personally see it.....
Both perspectives can be said to be true (although from different angles). It is true that we cannot KNOW that Jesus was actually worshipped by his followers during his lifetime, based on the acceptable methods of "how we know things" in the academic sense.
However, it is also true in my opinion that God accepts the worship of Himself through the name and form of Jesus, EVEN IF Jesus was in actuality only a man and not God. Jesus has become, in many ways, an appropriate description of God. He was compassionate, wise, and he had concern for the poor and the outcasts of society. He stood for justice, altruism, and for pure devotion to God. He preached the necessity of having a pure heart, and not just having actions which outwardly fulfilled the law. These are things that I believe God would say, if God were to speak in human form.
That's how I see it, anyway.

Thanks for the good question, Schneb, even if you don't think mine is a good answer. ;-)

Answer 4

Cause Jesus Is God...

John 14:7

If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

John 14:9

Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

the way i understand it is:

we are made in the image of God, Body, Spirit and Soul.

Jesus = Body
Holy Spirit = Spirit
God the Father = Soul. i.e. The Father is a personality, no one can see the face of the "father" because he is a personality, you talk to God the father just like you talk to anyone else. "hey God, whats up..."

so if "God" was to walk into a room, guess who it would be...Jesus. cause he is "God" in the flesh. think of it like this, if you go to the moon, you need a moon suit right? you cant go without one, the same way..if God whats to come to the Earth..he needs an Earth suit...i.e. a body. your soul cant exist apart from your body can it?

Answer 5

The trinity says that The Son is God- The Father is God- The Holy Spirit is God...So The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Holy Spirit so all three of those are one person. So when you pray to Jesus your praying to God (The Son, The Father, The Holy Spirit)

Answer 6

It's complicated for humans to understand, but Jesus is God and God is the Father of Jesus and God is three things, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Answer 7

1] Only God, our Heavenly Father, alone... YES.

2] Because they were worshipping the "Messiah/Christ", or the "SONship of God", in Him...

Jesus said that WE ARE ALL SONS [Children] OF GOD provided we FOLLOW EXACTLY everything AND OBEY ALL that He commanded us to follow... Meaning, for us to WALK IN HIS very FOOTSTEPS along the True Path to Salvation ALWAYS.

In other words, as we strive for Perfection and through Perseverance in our own lifetime, He tells us that EACH OF US is CAPABLE OF BEING the CHRIST [SONship of God] in MANY instances, such as when He said:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the SONS of God." [Matt 5:9]... among others.

Peace be with you!

Answer 8

Is this a trick question?

Yes, only God is to be worshiped (anything else is idolatry).

Jesus is God.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit...all are one and the same.

Answer 9

i can answer this question by reciting a verse from AL quran says(and when god will say o: Jesus son of Mary ,did u say to the ppl ( take me and my mother as gods other than god?)he said( Jesus) glory be to u it is not fitting for me to say that which i have no rigth to say if i said it, u most surly would have known it .for u know what is in my soul and i don't know what is with u indeed you are the all knowing of th unseen)
so i believe that Jesus didn't tell ppl to worship him as he is not god but ppl misinterpreted what he said , that's one of the major differences between Islam and Christianity
AS MUSLIM WE WORSHIP ONLY ONE GOD THE ONE THAT JESUS ASKED ALL PPL TO WORSHIP HIM

Answer 10

Personally, I think something was lost in translation.

When Satan told Jesus to worship him, he meant that he should pledge his entire service and dedication to him. When Jesus responded, he was expressing in English, "I belong to God, and serve only Him."

People bowed to Jesus, one woman washed his hair with his feet. Strange custom, no? When people bowed to Jesus, they were pledging their dedication to Jesus, who they believed to be the Messiah. Jesus knew this too. Jesus also said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." He established Himself as interceder between God and Man. He knew he was part of God, and he probably believed people were dedicating themselves to His father in the act of worshipping him.

Answer 11

Isaiah 46:9: Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
John17:3,4: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. ( Jesus was talking to his Father who was in heaven)
1 Corinthians 8:6: But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Jesus was created:----Colossians 1:14,15 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
John 14:28:--------Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Satan tried to tempt Jesus because he knew that Jesus,although perfect,had free will and could have surrendered to that temptation,but do you think our Creator,the Almighty God could ever be tempted----no and Satan would never have been able to tempt God. So he tried to tempt God;s only begotten Son---and we are thankful that Satan did not succeed.
So,who should we worship? Jesus answers that question---Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
He did not say, "you should worship me."
Jesus is God's son, not God himself.