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"...and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." Luke 2:9-12 KJV <p>Illustration of three kings, or maji, worshiping Jesus and bringing him gifts. Jesus is sitting on Mary's lap. Two kings wearing crowns stand in front of Mary while a third, without a crown, kneels. Two sheep are asleep in the corner. Joseph and a donkey stand behind a low fence. Servants and a camel stand off to the side.The star in the east shines on to the scene.

Kings from the East Worship the Baby Jesus

"...and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where…

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2: 15-16 KJV <p>Illustration of the shepherds arriving at the stable where Jesus is lying in a manger. Mary kneels next to him and Joseph stands at the manger's side. A bull and calf are curled up in the foreground. The shepherds, young and old, arrive through an opening in a low wall and kneel before the manger. One shepherd has removed his hat and laid down his staff.

The Shepherds Arrive to Worship the Baby Jesus

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to…

"And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger." Luke 2:15-16 ASV <p>Illustration of the shepherds' arrival soon after Jesus' birth. One kneels, one bows, and one stands in the background with a sheep over his shoulders. Angels are depicted overhead, along with the Star of Bethlehem.

The Adoration of the Shepherds at the Birth of Jesus

"And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,…

Also known as Hapis. In mythology, Apis was a commonly worshipped bull-deity in the Memphis region.

The Bull Apis

Also known as Hapis. In mythology, Apis was a commonly worshipped bull-deity in the Memphis region.

Built between 1175 and 1490, Wells Cathedral has been described as "the most poetic of the English Cathedrals". Much of the structure is in the Early English style and is greatly enriched by the deeply sculptural nature of the mouldings and the vitality of the carved capitals in a foliate style known as "stiff leaf". The eastern end has retained much original glass, which is rare in England. The exterior has a splendid Early English façade and a large central tower.

Wells Cathedral, Somerset

Built between 1175 and 1490, Wells Cathedral has been described as "the most poetic of the English Cathedrals".…

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever." Daniel 6:19-21 ASV <p>Illustration of Daniel sitting in the midst of three male lions and one female lion. Daniel is looking up to the edge of the pit, his right hand raised and his left hand over his heart. The king can be seen looking down on him. The lions are completely at peace. An arch and a stone wall are pictured in the background.

Daniel Sits Safely among the Lions in the Den

"Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he…

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish creature which may represent a deity, comes from Dahomey, Africa.

Fetish of African Deity

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish creature which may represent…

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish creature which may represent a deity, comes from Dahomey, Africa.

Fetish of African Deity

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish creature which may represent…

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish creature which may represent a deity, comes from Dahomey, Africa.

Fetish of African Deity

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish creature which may represent…

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish of a man and a woman comes from Dahomey, Africa.

Fetish of Man and Woman

A fetish is an object believed to have supernatural powers. This fetish of a man and a woman comes from…

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan." Luke 17:12-16 ASV <p>Illustration of a man on his knees at the feet of Jesus. A group of men can be seen standing in the background.

One of Ten Healed Lepers Returns to Praise Jesus

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off:…

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go and show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God; and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan." Luke 17:12-16 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus speaking to ten lepers. One is on his knees. His head is glowing and he is pointing with his left hand.

Jesus Speaks to Ten Lepers

"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off:…

"A bas-relief at Ibreez in Asia Minor. It represents a god and his royal worshipper."&mdash;Webster, 1913

A Hittite Monument

"A bas-relief at Ibreez in Asia Minor. It represents a god and his royal worshipper."—Webster,…

An illustration of a group of people kneeling in front a large cross.

Kneeling in Front of Cross

An illustration of a group of people kneeling in front a large cross.

The chapel of Lincoln College.

Lincoln College

The chapel of Lincoln College.

The Saudi Arabian city Mecca, the place Islamic worship.

Mecca

The Saudi Arabian city Mecca, the place Islamic worship.

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10 ASV <p>Illustration of a Pharisee and a publican, also referred to as a tax collector, praying in the temple. The Pharisee is dressed in full priestly costume and robes. He is standing behind the veil, within the room that holds the menorah and incense altar, and praying with his head up and chest out. The publican stands outside of the main room, head bowed, staff in hand.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, or the Tax Collector

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10…

Protestant Christians worshipping in the wilderness to avoid religious execution.

Protestant Worship in the Wilderness

Protestant Christians worshipping in the wilderness to avoid religious execution.

"Nebuchadnezzar spake and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God." Daniel 3:28 ASV <p>Illustration of an angel with a halo leading Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego out of a smoking furnace. The angel holds the hand of one of the men. Another one of the three has his hands raised to the sky. Nebuchadnezzar stands and watches the men in awe (right).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are Led Out of the Furnace by an Angel

"Nebuchadnezzar spake and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent…

"And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it." Exodus 25:8-9 ASV <p>Illustration of an aerial view of the Tabernacle. It was built using specifications given to Moses directly by God. Several elements are clearly pictured, including the curtain enclosure, the temple, the brazen altar, and the brazen laver. Pillars of smoke rise from the brazen altar and from the altar of incense inside the temple. The tents of the Israelite camp surround the tabernacle. A few people and animals are pictured. There are palm trees in the foreground.

The Tabernacle - Aerial View with the Israelite Camp in the Background

"And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the…

"A considerable part of the land -- perhaps one third -- belonged to temples, in order that the temple worship might be kept up." - West, 1904

Temple of the Sun at Karnak

"A considerable part of the land -- perhaps one third -- belonged to temples, in order that the temple…

"And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" Matthew 27:29 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus as a solider places a crown of thorns on his head. A robe is around his shoulders and a reed is in his hand. A soldier plays a small horn and tambourine on Christ's left side. Another soldier kneels mockingly in front of him, as if to worship him. A fourth soldier leans behind them to Christ's right. Two holy men watch from behind a wall in the background.

The Crowning of Thorns - Jesus is Made a Mock King

"And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they…

"And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this?" Matthew 21:8-10 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt, right hand raised, as crowds welcome him with palm branches. A man lays a piece of cloth on the ground for the colt to walk on. A small child on the left waves a tree branch.

Jesus' Triumphal Entry and Welcome into Jerusalem

"And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the…

"On the morrow a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried out, Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. And Jesus, having found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt." John 12:12-15 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus riding up to the walls of Jerusalem on a donkey. A multitude of people are gathered around him, some falling to their knees and bowing, while others wave palm fronds. The twelve disciples, signified by halos over their heads, follow behind him. The walls and arched gate are visible.

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

"On the morrow a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to…