The Greek word translated “worship” is “proskuneo” meaning; to
kiss, like a dog
licking his master’s hand); to
fawn or
crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively)
prostrate oneself in homage (
do reverence to,
adore). It is the same word used in Exodus 34:14 in the Septuagint for the worship of YHWH.
Revelation 3:9 - Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
This is being said by Yeshua to the believers comprising the Philadelphia church. A time will come in the future when Yeshua will command his followers to be worshipped as well. Now, should we consider these men to be “Gods” simply because they are worshipped? No. Neither should we consider the Son to be “God” simply because he was worshipped.
Yeshua and the believers in the Philadelphia church are not being worshipped as YHWH (God), but as YHWH’s representatives. They are being bowed down to and given honor as such.
Much confusion concerning “worship” arises from the fact that the Hebrew and Greek words for translated “worship” were translated differently when the “worship” was directed toward men.
The Hebrew word translated “worship” is Strong’s#7812 – “shachah” meaning; to
depress, that is,
prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God). Here are the various ways it was translated in the KJV; bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
An example of “shachah” from one man to another is found in Genesis 23:7;
And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
In Gen 33:3, Jacob bowed down to Esau;
But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
What if “shachah” was translated “worship” here instead of “bowed down”? Would that make Esau “God”? Of course not. Neither does Yeshua receiving “worship” make him “God”.
Yeshua himself will command men to worship his followers. That does not make his followers “God”. They will be worshipped” or “bowed down to” as representatives of Yahweh and Yeshua.
Yeshua is deserving of our “worship” as we bow down to him, honor him, and adore him. However, it is Almighty Yahweh alone that we are to worship as the one true God.
Yeshua forgave sin. Only G-d forgives the sins of another.
2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.
2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.
4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?
9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?
10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man,
11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
As for your ridiculous attempt to marginalize the worship of Yeshua, the disciples did not do that they flat out, straight up WORSHIPED him.
Furthermore proskuneó(4352) means to do reverence to
Short Definition: I worship
Definition: I go down on my knees to, do obeisance to, worship.
By reading the text there are several examples of people falling to their knees and worshiping Yeshua. We see the same action occurring when angels visit and each time the Angel stops the person from doing this.
When Peter walks on the water and starts to sink in Matthew 14:33
prosekynēsan
is defined and translated here as WORSHIP, not merely prostrating or paying homage too.... Yeshua did not stop them or prevent them from doing this....
And the greatest of all evidence is when Yeshua is speaking to the high priest when question as to whether he was the messiah? Yeshua answered him by saying I AM.
Mark 14:64
62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?
64 “You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
