They bowed down and WORSHIPPED the child Jesus

[tonychanyt]

English Standard Version, Matthew 2:

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [magi] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

The magi came to 'worship' the infant king of the Jews.

11 going into the house, they [magi] saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped [G4352] him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon:

1 aorist προσεκύνησα; from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; the Sept. very often for הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה (to prostrate oneself); properly, to kiss the hand to (toward) one, in token of reverence. among the Orientals, especially the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence ("to make a 'salam'") in the N. T. by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication.
It is used
a. of homage shown to men of superior rank ...

Particularly outside the Bible, "worship" often meant paying homage to someone superior.

b. of homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ, to heavenly beings, and to demons

The word was ambiguous.

Pulpit's argument is rather convincing:

To Worship him. Not as God, but as Lord and King (Matthew 4:9, note). The prostration of themselves bodily before him was not a Greek or Roman, but an Eastern, and it is said especially a Persian, form of homage.

New Revised Standard Version:

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The magi might not have seen the infant Jesus as God.

See also Is Jesus God?.

 

[Grip Docility]

English Standard Version, Matthew 2:


The magi came to 'worship' the infant king of the Jews.


Thayer's Greek Lexicon:


Particularly outside the Bible, "worship" often meant paying homage to someone superior.


The word was ambiguous.

Pulpit's argument is rather convincing:


New Revised Standard Version:


The magi might not have seen the infant Jesus as God.

See also Is Jesus God?.

When witnessing to militant Atheists, I bring up that many people outside of Judaism were keyed into the birth of Jesus. The "Mastercard" symbol that has two overlapping circles is an ancient symbol embraced by many Gentile cultures that believed God was going to physically Marry Himself to humanity, and thus reveal Himself. (That's part of my wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove... package.)