Prostration (προσκυνέω), the act of lying stretched out on the ground with the face downward, is a profound expression of reverence and compliance. It symbolizes complete dependence and submission to a higher authority, conveying an attitude of deep humility.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus restored a man’s sight on the Sabbath, which caused quite a stir with the ruling religious party. After the Pharisees accused the man of not being blind, which was refuted by his parents, they again questioned him concerning the healing, especially regarding who performed this act upon him. At that time, the man who was blind did not know who had given him sight; however, even he could see that such a one would be from God. The Pharisees disagreed and cast him out of the synagogue because he was healed on the Sabbath. After hearing what had happened, Jesus found the man and asked him if he believed in the Son of God. Inquiring who the Son of God is, the previously blind man prostrated before Jesus when he became aware He was the one who healed him, John 9:38.
Within our English Bibles the word “worship” is predominantly used to translate the word “prostration”, which expresses the concept of lying stretched out in reverence and compliance; therefore, it conveys the meaning of giving proper credit for who a person is. Worship is used in our English translations for a few different Greek words, such as, religious reverence (σεβάζομαι), Romans 1:25, rendering religious service (λατρεύω), Hebrews 10:2, and even prayer. Making it difficult to determine what is implied by the term worship. We see such an instance when Paul instructs the saint in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. He uses a word that communicates the concept of making a petition instead of to worship. Petition (προσευχή) is derived from the notion of uttering out loud a wish (εὔχομαι); hence, expresses a general prayer. When we worship (προσκυνέω) God, it is from an attitude of knowing who He is and what He has done, not expressing a wish, rendering service, crying out for help, or making a request. Therefore, it is important to identify which word is behind the English translation when prayer or worship are used.
The Magi of the East came when they saw the star indicating the Messiah was on earth and prostrated (worshipped) before Him, Matthew 2:11. Satan sought to have Christ prostrate (worship) before him, Matthew 4:9. However, as Jesus points out to him, it is written that you will worship and serve only God, Matthew 4:10. In Hebrew, the word used in the Old Testament passage quoted by Jesus against Satan’s request to worship him is “fear”, explaining that the concept of prostration relates to compliance and reverence coming from a proper sense of respect, Deuteronomy 10:20.
In Hebrews 11:21, we find that prostration is not restricted to the literal act of lying stretched out; instead, it also relates to the attitude. Due to his age and limited physical abilities, Jacob blessed each of the sons of Joseph and prostrated, leaning on his staff.
After the rapture of the Church, those who partake in their priestly service in heaven during the tribulation period will prostrate before Christ when they complete their duties, casting their crowns at His feet, showing their honor and respect for Him along with their verbal acknowledgement of what He has done, Revelation 4:10.
Today; rather than physically prostrating, God seeks those who worship in spirit and truth, John 4:24. Therefore, those who worship in spirit are not physically prostrating themselves; instead, it is a rational response of prostrating within the mind by acknowledging what God has done that results in a verbal recognition that gives Him proper credit while showing an attitude towards Him of humility, reverence, and compliance.
