The Son of Man

Have you ever wondered why Jesus refers to Himself as “The Son of Man?” In fact, Jesus uses this term more than 85 times in the NT. Of course, many would say that it speaks of His humanity and that’s why He called Himself ”The Son of Man.” Well, it seems this could be part of the reason. However, like anything in the Bible, there is so much more.

Oh my friend, there are many facets of the title “The Son of Man.” This title speaks of His humility. The Bible tells us in Luke 9:58, “The Son of Man” “ has no place to lay his head” There are others verses which refer to this title and reveal a humble life. In Matthew 17:12, “the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands."

However, we can go to the other spectrum with this title as well. “The Son of Man” reveals Jesus’ deity. In Matthew 9:6, we are told, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he then said to the paralytic-"Rise, pick up your bed and go home." Then look at Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Then in Matthew 26:64, “Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." Only God can forgives sins, save the lost, and comes back in glory.

Moreover, the most important is the prophecy of Daniel. I love that Jesus is who He says He is. In a Messianic prophecy, 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. 14 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, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” Jesus applied this prophecy to Himself in Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Of course, we know that Ezekiel is called a son of man. So what’s the difference of calling Jesus “Son of Man?” Well, in every instance in the NT but one in John, Jesus is called “The Son of Man.” The NT uses the definite article “the” revealing the uniqueness of Jesus to the title. The writers wanted us to know there is no mistaking that Jesus is “The Son of Man’” the One Daniel spoke of 700 years before Christ. Lastly, Stephan uses this term when He saw Jesus standing in Heaven as he was being martyred.” In Acts7, “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."