[S I M T A N]

The OT forbids worshiping anyone other than God (Exodus 20:1-5; Deut 5:6-9). The NT agrees, showing humans refusal of worship, as did angels. (Rev 22:8-9). But Jesus accepted worship on many occasions. A healed leper worshiped Him (Matt 8:2), and a ruler knelt before Him with a request (9:18).

After Jesus stilled the storm, "those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God" (14:33). A group of Canaanite women (15:25), the mother of James and John (20:20) and the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:6) all worshiped Jesus without a single word of rebuke (Rev 22:8-9). A blind man said, "Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him" (John 9:38). Jesus elicited worship in some cases, as when Thomas saw the risen Christ and cried out, "My Lord and my God!" (20:28). This could only be accepted by a person who seriously considered Himself to be God.