Summary: This discussion explores why Jesus frequently called Himself the “Son of Man,” a title that appears throughout the Gospels and raises questions about its significance. The term is understood to reflect both Jesus’ deep connection to humanity and possible ties to prophecies that speak to His divine authority and role in redemption.
In the Gospels, we often see Jesus referring to Himself as the “Son of Man,” a title that sparks curiosity and invites deeper reflection. This term appears numerous times, especially in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and is unique because Jesus alone uses it to describe Himself. But what does “Son of Man” truly mean, and why would Jesus choose this phrase rather than titles like “Messiah” or “Son of God”?
The Bible presents multiple layers of meaning for the phrase. Some suggest it highlights Jesus’ connection to humanity, while others see links to ancient prophecies, such as those in the book of Daniel, where a “Son of Man” appears with authority and glory. This duality—relating to both His human experience and His divine role—adds depth to Jesus’ mission and message.
As we reflect on this title, it raises a compelling question: What do you believe Jesus intended to reveal by calling Himself the “Son of Man”? You can delve further into this topic with insights from this article:
There is little scholarly doubt that “Son of Man” in the Gospels arises out of the vision in Daniel 7 (“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.”). This seems to mean “one who looked human but came in a heavenly manner and was led into the presence of God.”
The question is, was Jesus referring to himself? There is no scholarly consensus on this. Bert Ehrman (boo! hiss!), for example, believes he was not: At Last. Jesus and the Son of Man. - The Bart Ehrman Blog Ehrman is far from alone in this belief.
The Son of Man in Daniel was clearly a heavenly figure and not the earthly Jesus. If Jesus was, or thought he was, someone who would eventually fill the heavenly role described in Daniel, then he may well have referred to himself as the Son of Man - but would it have made sense to his listeners for the earthly Jesus to be equating himself to the heavenly figure of Daniel 7? (Ehrman thinks this would have been “actually quite contrary” to Jesus’ view of himself.)
Oddly, when the angel explains to Daniel the meaning of his vision, the angel never refers at all to “the one like a son of man” but instead refers repeatedly to “the holy people of the Most High,” as though perhaps the son of man were not an individual at all.
Why didn’t Jesus just say Son of God - was he just being coy? Would his listeners really have made the connection suggested in the article - i.e., that he was emphasizing both his humanity and his role as the heavenly figure of Daniel 7? Why is the phrase Son of Man so prevalent in the Gospels but nowhere in Paul’s epistles? Indeed, it appears nowhere else in the entire NT except Acts 7:26 (Stephen’s vision as he’s being stoned) and Hebrews 2:6 (speaking not of Jesus but of humans in general).
Prophet Ezekiel is referenced as son of man by God.
Prophet Ezekiel was instructed to give prophecy concerning the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple.
Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple. (Mark 13)
37 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Emperor Titus destroyed the Temple.
For God to have destroyed the Temple again, many of the conditions that were present in Ezekiel’s time, they were present in Jesus’ time. About 100 years before Jesus, Romans were Lamenting the loss of Roman virtue. Did the world become wicked? God so loved The World that he gave his only begotten son. God could have destroyed the world again with Fire. Instead he gave the world Jesus Christ, and a baptism by fire.
Jesus talks about Son of Man in the third person.
Son of Man could be translated to Son of Adam. Able was a Son of Adam, born due to the sins of man. Able was the first murder. Able was a shepherd. The Lord is a shepherd. (Psalms 23)
For the son of man to return, there had to be a falling away.
Jesus was Messiah, and Son of God. Jesus Christ was a lot of things. Son of Man may have been a specific spiritual title or function.
