And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
Parallel translations
- WEB When they saw him, they bowed down to him, but some doubted.
- KJV And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
- BSB When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.
- NKJV When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
- NLT When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When they see Jesus they worship Him, though some doubted. Genuine worship and lingering uncertainty appear side by side.
Overview
The disciples' worship again affirms the deity of the risen Christ. The note that 'some doubted' or hesitated reflects honest realism about how staggering the resurrection was to grasp; interpreters differ on whether this means wavering, hesitation, or that some present besides the eleven were uncertain. Matthew's candor about doubt actually strengthens the credibility of his account rather than presenting an idealized picture.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Ps 45:11So the king will desire your beauty, honor him, for he is your lord.
- Ps 2:12Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.
- Matt 16:28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
- Matt 28:9As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
- John 5:23that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
- 1 Cor 15:6Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 28:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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