Mateus 2

Mateus 2

Barclay adds that "paidion (is) a child young in experience." Related Resource: What does the Bible say about the three wise men (Magi)? Watch video on the time of arrival of the magi. WISE MEN WORSHIP And they fell to the ground and worshiped Him - Fell down is described by BDAG as to "throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion, before high-ranking persons or divine beings." Falling to the ground is what you do to acknowledge you (in this case the INFANT JESUS) are high and I am low. One can envision them as they are falling on their faces before Jesus, throwing their kisses toward Him in a gesture of reverence and respect (see proskuneo). Note that they worshipped Him, not Mary who is NOT to be worshipped and Scripture never describes as being worshipped! Respected yes. Revered to a degree, yes. But NEVER worshipped. INTERESTING NOTE - In the Gospels their are nine prostrations before the Savior. Magi (Matthew 2:11); Jarius (Mark 5:22); Woman healed (Mark 5:33); Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:25); Peter, (Luke 5:8); The Leper (Luke 5:12); 7, The Gadarene (Luke 8:28); 8, The Samaritan (Luke 17:16); 9, Mary (John 11:32). Worship (bow down) (4352)(proskuneo from pros = before + kuneo = kiss or adore) means to prostrate one’s self, to kiss the hand to (towards) one in token of reverence, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence (to make a salam), by kneeling or prostration to do homage to one or make obeisance, either in order to express respect or make supplication. When Jesus Christ was born into this world, He was attended and worshipped by angels. (Lu 2:13f+). Proskuneo represents the most common Near Eastern act of adoration and reverence and also carries the idea of profound awe and respect. Some believe that the root word kuneo may be related to kuon which is the Greek word for dog and which then could be picturing a dog licking his master's hand. Proskuneo literally means to kiss toward someone, to throw a kiss in token of respect or homage, to prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, to adore and so to worship and show respect. In the ancient Oriental (especially Persia) the mode of salutation between persons of equal rank was to kiss each other on the lips. When the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek. When one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, and as he was bowing down he would be throwing kisses toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that is intended by the Greek writers in the use of the verb proskuneo . Matthew's uses of proskuneo - Matt. 2:2; Matt. 2:8; Matt. 2:11; Matt. 4:9; Matt. 4:10; Matt. 8:2; Matt. 9:18; Matt. 14:33; Matt. 15:25; Matt. 18:26; Matt. 20:20; Matt. 28:9; Matt. 28:17