Son of Man

Son of Man

What does this phrase mean?

First, "Son of Man" is an ordinary phrase for "human being." Jesus was born into mankind. On the other hand, He is also born of the Spirit. He is therefore referred to as "Son of God". Therefore, the common understanding is that "Son of God" implies His Deity and that "Son of Man" implies his humanity. He is both divine and he is human—two natures, one person.

However, also, an important historical insight is that the term "Son of Man" doesn't merely align him with humanity. It is used in Daniel 7 as a reference to His Deity. See Jesus Referenced Daniel's Vision, below.

Used Only By Christ

Jesus makes use of this title in three distinct ways:

Reference Verse
Mathew 8:20 Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Mathew 9:6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home."
Mathew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by her deeds."
Mathew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Luke 22:48 but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

Reference Verse
Mathew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Mathew 17:9, 22 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.
Mathew 20:18 "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death

Reference Verse
Mathew 13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
Mathew 24:27, 30 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
Mathew 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.
Luke 18:8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Luke 21:36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Exceptions

Interestingly, this designation (Son of Man) is not found in the New Testament on any other lips that His own except in two cases:

Exception Reference Verse
Exception 1:
When his questioners quoted his own words		 John 12.34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
Exception 2:
When Stephen used the phrase in the moment of his martyrdom		 Acts 7.56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Jesus Referenced Daniel's Vision

Kreyssler and Scheffrahn write that:

"Jesus clearly believed himself to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. In referring to himself, he continually used the title "Son of Man" from Daniel's vision:

Mark 14.61-64 Daniel's Vision
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"

But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"

"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the 1 Son of Man 2 sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One 3 and coming on the clouds of heaven."

The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"
1 Son of Man
Daniel 7:13
"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."
2 sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One
Psalm 110.1
The Lord says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
3 and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Daniel 7:13
"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."

Content is from "Evidence that Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell.

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