English Standard Version, Matthew 2:
Pulpit's argument is rather convincing:
See also Is Jesus God?.
The magi came to 'worship' the infant king of the Jews.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.”
Thayer's Greek Lexicon: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.
Particularly outside of the Bible the word "worship" was used often as meaning paying homage to someone superior.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 ...
The word is ambiguous.b. of homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ, to heavenly beings, and to demons
Pulpit's argument is rather convincing:
New Revised Standard Version: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.
The magi may not have seen the infant Jesus as God.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.
See also Is Jesus God?.