Yes, the Bible shows multiple instances where Jesus was worshiped, and He did not refuse it. Unlike angels and apostles who rejected worship, Jesus received it openly—suggesting that He accepted honor that belongs to God alone.
Worship in the Bible Is Not Casual
In Scripture, worship is never treated lightly. It is reserved for God alone.
“Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Matthew 4:10 (KJV)
This matters because it sets the standard. If anyone other than God receives worship, it would be considered wrong—unless that person truly shares in God’s identity.
So the question becomes direct: what happens when people worship Jesus?
Jesus Was Worshiped by Individuals
Throughout the Gospels, people respond to Jesus with worship—not just respect, but reverence.
A leper approaches Him:
“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”
Matthew 8:2 (KJV)
A ruler seeking help:
“While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him…”
Matthew 9:18 (KJV)
After Jesus walks on water:
“Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:33 (KJV)
These are not isolated moments. Different people, in different situations, respond the same way—by worshiping Him.
And each time, Jesus does not stop them.
The Blind Man Worshiped Jesus
One of the clearest moments comes after Jesus heals a man born blind.
“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”
John 9:35–38 (KJV)
Jesus reveals His identity, and the man responds with belief—and worship.
Again, there is no correction. No hesitation. No redirection.
After the Resurrection, Worship Becomes Even Clearer
Following the resurrection, the response to Jesus intensifies.
“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.”
Matthew 28:9 (KJV)
Later:
“And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”
Matthew 28:17 (KJV)
And at His ascension:
“And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”
Luke 24:52 (KJV)
This is not confusion or exaggeration. These are His own followers, seeing Him alive again, responding in worship.
And still—He does not refuse it.
Others in Scripture Refused Worship
This contrast is critical.
When someone else in the Bible is worshiped, they immediately reject it.
An angel responds this way:
“And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not… worship God.”
Revelation 22:8–9 (KJV)
Peter responds similarly:
“And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.”
Acts 10:25–26 (KJV)
The pattern is consistent:
- Men refuse worship
- Angels refuse worship
- Only God receives worship
Yet Jesus stands in the middle of this pattern—and does not refuse it.
What Does This Mean?
The Gospels do not pause to explain this directly. They simply record what happened.
People worshiped Jesus.
Jesus accepted it.
That alone raises the question: why?
If worship belongs to God alone, then Jesus accepting worship is not a small detail. It is a significant claim—one made not only in words, but in actions.
This connects closely with what Jesus said about Himself.
For a deeper look at His identity, see:
What Does the Bible Say About Jesus?
And for a closer examination of His claims, see:
Did Jesus Claim to Be God?
Worship and Identity Are Connected
Worship is not just an emotional response. It is a recognition of who someone is.
When the disciples worshiped Jesus after the storm, they said:
“Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:33 (KJV)
Their worship followed their realization.
The same pattern appears again and again:
- They see what He does
- They hear what He says
- They respond with worship
The Gospels present this without forcing a conclusion—but they do not hide the implication either.
A Quiet but Clear Picture
Jesus never stands up and says, “Worship me.”
But when people do, He does not correct them.
Instead, the Gospels present a consistent picture:
- He forgives sins
- He speaks with authority
- He accepts worship
Each of these, on its own, is significant. Together, they form a pattern that invites careful consideration.
What This Means for the Reader
This is not just a historical detail. It becomes personal.
If Jesus accepted worship, then the question is no longer just what others did—but how should we respond?
The Gospels leave that question open, but they do not leave it unclear.
They show who Jesus is, what He did, and how people responded.
The reader is left to consider the same.
Read the Full Story
This article is adapted from the study Jesus — According to the Bible, a Scripture-first examination of what the Bible says about Jesus and who He was.
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