Son of Man, The
Jesus' Preferred Title
Of all the titles available to Jesus — Messiah, Lord, Son of God, Son of David — He most frequently chose to call Himself the "Son of Man." The title appears over 80 times in the four Gospels, and with only a few exceptions (John 12:34; Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14), it is found exclusively on Jesus' own lips. This self-chosen title reveals how Jesus understood His own identity and mission.
At first glance, "Son of Man" seems to emphasize Jesus' humanity — He is a human being, a member of the human race. And indeed, some of its uses carry this meaning. But the title has far deeper roots in the Old Testament, and Jesus' audience would have recognized its loaded significance.
Old Testament Background
The phrase "son of man" appears in the Old Testament in three distinct contexts. In the Psalms, it functions as a poetic synonym for "human being": "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:4). This usage emphasizes human frailty and smallness before God.
In Ezekiel, God addresses the prophet as "son of man" over 90 times (Ezekiel 2:1; 3:1, etc.). Here the title underscores the prophet's humanity in contrast to the divine glory he witnesses, while also designating him as God's messenger to Israel.
But the most significant background for Jesus' use of the title comes from Daniel 7:13-14: "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion."
This vision describes a human-like figure who approaches God's throne and receives universal, eternal sovereignty. In Daniel's context, this figure is closely connected to "the saints of the Most High" (Daniel 7:18, 27), suggesting both an individual and corporate identity. For Jesus, Daniel 7 provided the primary framework for the title.
Three Dimensions of Jesus' Usage
Scholars have observed that Jesus used "Son of Man" in three categories of sayings, each revealing a different aspect of His mission.
First, Jesus used the title in connection with His present earthly ministry and authority. "The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10). "The Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28). These claims assert a present authority that goes far beyond what any ordinary human could claim.
Second, Jesus used the title to speak of His suffering and death. "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31). "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). This was the most shocking dimension — the glorious figure of Daniel 7 would first travel the path of suffering described in Isaiah 53.
Third, Jesus used the title for His future coming in glory. "Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30). At His trial, Jesus told the high priest, "You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:62) — a direct allusion to Daniel 7:13 that provoked the charge of blasphemy.
Why Jesus Chose This Title
Jesus' preference for "Son of Man" over more common messianic titles was strategic. The title "Messiah" (Christ) carried heavy political baggage in first-century Palestine — expectations of a military liberator who would overthrow Rome. By choosing "Son of Man," Jesus could reveal His identity on His own terms, combining the ideas of divine authority, human solidarity, redemptive suffering, and future glory in a single title.
The title simultaneously concealed and revealed. To those unfamiliar with Daniel's vision, it sounded like a simple reference to humanity. To those with ears to hear, it was an astonishing claim to be the heavenly figure who would receive an everlasting kingdom from God Himself. This is precisely the dynamic at play in John 12:34, where the crowd asks in confusion, "Who is this Son of Man?"
Beyond the Gospels
Outside the Gospels, the title appears sparingly but significantly. Stephen, at his martyrdom, gazed into heaven and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This is the only time someone other than Jesus uses the title in the Gospels and Acts, and it confirms the Daniel 7 interpretation — the Son of Man is now enthroned in heaven.
In Revelation, John sees "one like a son of man" among the lampstands (Revelation 1:13) and seated on a cloud with a sharp sickle for the final harvest (Revelation 14:14). These images draw directly on Daniel's vision, portraying the risen Christ as the glorified Son of Man who now reigns and will come again in judgment.
Biblical Context
The title 'Son of Man' appears over 80 times in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 8:20; 24:30; 26:64; Mark 2:10, 28; 8:31; 10:45; 14:62; Luke 9:58; 19:10; John 1:51; 3:13; 6:53). Its Old Testament roots are in Psalm 8:4, Ezekiel's prophetic address, and especially Daniel 7:13-14. Outside the Gospels it appears in Acts 7:56 (Stephen's vision), Revelation 1:13 and 14:14. The title weaves together themes of human frailty (Psalm 8), prophetic vocation (Ezekiel), divine authority (Daniel 7), suffering servanthood (Isaiah 53), and eschatological glory.
Theological Significance
The title 'Son of Man' is theologically rich because it holds together dimensions of Jesus' identity that might otherwise seem contradictory. It affirms His genuine humanity and solidarity with the human condition, while simultaneously claiming divine authority and an eternal kingdom. By linking the title to His suffering and death, Jesus redefined messianic expectation: the path to glory runs through the cross. The title also carries eschatological weight — the Son of Man will return in power to judge the living and the dead. It thus encapsulates the full arc of Christ's work: incarnation, ministry, suffering, resurrection, ascension, and return.
Historical Background
In Second Temple Judaism, Daniel 7's 'son of man' figure was interpreted in various ways. The Book of Enoch (particularly the Parables of Enoch, 1 Enoch 37-71) develops the figure into a pre-existent heavenly being who will judge the wicked. 4 Ezra also features a 'man from the sea' figure drawing on Daniel. These texts show that 'Son of Man' carried messianic and apocalyptic significance in Jesus' cultural context. The Dead Sea Scrolls do not use the title prominently but reflect the broader messianic expectations of the period. Early church fathers like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus understood the title as affirming both Christ's divinity and humanity. Modern scholarship has extensively debated whether Jesus Himself used the title or whether it was attributed to Him by the early church, though the overwhelming Gospel evidence points to authentic self-usage.