Son of Man: Why did Jesus use the name Son of Man? What is the significance of the title Son of Man?
Jesus uses the peculiar title of “Son of Man” for Himself over 80 times throughout the Gospels of the New Testament. This may seem like a strange name to us, but it seemed to have more significance to his hearers in the first century. For example, after Jesus was arrested & on trial before the high priest, there was the following discourse:
But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 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.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.” – Mt 26.63-65
What was it about the title “Son of Man” that was blasphemous?
When trying to understand a particular word or phrase in the Bible, it’s helpful to look at other Scriptures that use it & see what can be learned from its context there. When searching for “Son of Man”, you will notice that it shows up numerous times throughout the book of Ezekiel. And while Jesus used it to refer to Himself, God used it when addressing the prophet Ezekiel. Interestingly, Ezekiel turned out to be a Christ-type.
“Christ” is the Greek word for Messiah & is not a name, but a title meaning Anointed One. While there can be only one Christ, there are a handful of individuals in the Old Testament that portray aspects of the Christ or foreshadow Him in some way. Another example of this is Melchizedek (Gen 14, Ps 110.4, Heb 5-7). On a side note, a Christ-type is not to be confused with a Christophany which is an actual appearance of Christ in the Old Testament before He took on a human body (i.e. Josh 5.13-15).
But Ezekiel’s ministry did have some interesting parallels to that of Jesus’ such as:
When trying to understand a particular word or phrase in the Bible, it’s helpful to look at other Scriptures that use it & see what can be learned from its context there. When searching for “Son of Man”, you will notice that it shows up numerous times throughout the book of Ezekiel. And while Jesus used it to refer to Himself, God used it when addressing the prophet Ezekiel. Interestingly, Ezekiel turned out to be a Christ-type.
“Christ” is the Greek word for Messiah & is not a name, but a title meaning Anointed One. While there can be only one Christ, there are a handful of individuals in the Old Testament that portray aspects of the Christ or foreshadow Him in some way. Another example of this is Melchizedek (Gen 14, Ps 110.4, Heb 5-7). On a side note, a Christ-type is not to be confused with a Christophany which is an actual appearance of Christ in the Old Testament before He took on a human body (i.e. Josh 5.13-15).
But Ezekiel’s ministry did have some interesting parallels to that of Jesus’ such as:
Parallel (Ezekiel / Jesus)
Of particular note is the last point.
- Started ministry at age 30 (Eze 1.1-3 / Lk 3.1-2, 23)
- Spoke what God told him to say (Eze 3.10-11 / Mt 8.28, Jn 12.49-50)
- Unique teaching methods using parables (Eze 4.1, 5.1, 17.2, 24.2-5 / Mt 13.34-35)
- Spoke against rebellious leaders (Eze 8.12 / Mt 23)
- Predicted the destruction of Jerusalem (Eze 5 / Mt 24.1-2)
- Lamented over Jerusalem (Eze 19.1, 21.12 / Mt 23.37-39)
- Spoke of wicked shepherds vs. God as Shepherd (Eze 34.1-24 / Jn 10.1-18)
- Spoke of the Holy Spirit within (Eze 11.19, 36.26 / Jn 14.16-17)
- Spoke of individual responsibility for sin vs. trust in national identity (Eze 18 / Jn 8.39-59)
- Spoke of the first fall of Satan (Eze 28.12-19 / Lk 10.18)
- Spoke of an end-time confederacy (Gog & Magog) defeated by God (Eze 38-39 / Rev 20.7-8)
- Spoke of resurrection (Eze 37.12-14 / Jn 6.40)
- Spoke of an eternal, Messianic rule (Eze 37.24-28 / Mt 25.31-34)
Of particular note is the last point.
“My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” – Eze 37.24-28
This is referring to a covenant God made with Israel’s King David about 400 years earlier. God made a promise to David that he would have a descendant on the throne forever (2 Sam 7.12-16) & is known as the Davidic Covenant. The New Testament explains that this was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Heb 1.5) with Mt 1.1, 6 tracing His mother, Mary’s lineage to David & for culture’s sake, Lk 3.31-32 even traces His step-father, Joseph’s lineage back to David. Some people in the Gospels called Jesus “Son of David” which they understood to be synonymous with the Messiah (Mt 9.27, 15.22). And ultimately, Jesus refers to Himself as the “Son of David” (Rev 22.16).
This idea of this eternal, Messianic king is even seen in Psalms 2, 72 & 100 which are known as Royal Psalms. In fact, Psalm 110 is one of the most referenced Old Testament passages in the New Testament. For example, Jesus quotes it in Mt 22.41-46 to point out that the Messiah descends from David & yet is his Lord.
But to understand the title “Son of Man”, we have look at another passage that deals with this perpetual kingdom in the book of Daniel, chapter 7.
This idea of this eternal, Messianic king is even seen in Psalms 2, 72 & 100 which are known as Royal Psalms. In fact, Psalm 110 is one of the most referenced Old Testament passages in the New Testament. For example, Jesus quotes it in Mt 22.41-46 to point out that the Messiah descends from David & yet is his Lord.
But to understand the title “Son of Man”, we have look at another passage that deals with this perpetual kingdom in the book of Daniel, chapter 7.
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, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. – Dan 7.13-14
Let’s break this down by some key phrases to see how these apply to Jesus. First, considering “clouds of heaven…Son of Man”, this linkage was used by Jesus a couple times. Once, when He explained to His disciples that the “Son of Man (referring to Himself) coming on the clouds of heaven” would signify the end of the age (Mt 24.3, 30) & the other time was when He was on trial before the high priest as shown at the beginning of this article (Mt 26.63-65). Thus, given the high priest’s reaction, he well understood the reference to this passage as well as the ideas we’ll soon discuss. Also, following Jesus’ death, burial & resurrection, this reference was again alluded to by angels after His ascension into heaven (Acts 1.9-11).
Next, is this idea that the Son of Man “came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him”. The Ancient of Days is God the Father as indicated a few verses earlier in Dan 7.9-10. This idea of the Son of Man being presented before God the Father has to do with Jesus going before God on behalf of His followers declaring that He paid their sin debt in full & grants them His righteousness (Heb 9.24-26, 2 Cor 5.21). Even though we are all sinners & unworthy of God, Jesus continually advocates for His people by representing us in His own righteousness (Heb 7.25, 1 Jn 2.1-2). And while the devil continually accuses us before God (Rev 12.10), God looks to the Son of Man & declares: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8.1).
Next, is this idea that the Son of Man “came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him”. The Ancient of Days is God the Father as indicated a few verses earlier in Dan 7.9-10. This idea of the Son of Man being presented before God the Father has to do with Jesus going before God on behalf of His followers declaring that He paid their sin debt in full & grants them His righteousness (Heb 9.24-26, 2 Cor 5.21). Even though we are all sinners & unworthy of God, Jesus continually advocates for His people by representing us in His own righteousness (Heb 7.25, 1 Jn 2.1-2). And while the devil continually accuses us before God (Rev 12.10), God looks to the Son of Man & declares: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8.1).
“For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Cor 5.21
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 Jn 2.1-2
Next, this Son of Man will be “given…glory”. Now this is significant because God doesn’t share His glory with anyone (Isa 42.8), but here in His Word He’s proclaiming the Son of Man will be glorified. This is not contradictory if this Son of Man is Jesus, God the Son – a person of the Holy Trinity that is God (important when pointing out Christ’s deity). In fact, the Gospels speak a lot of Jesus’s glory, even record God Himself glorifying Jesus (Lk 9.26, Mt 24.30, Jn 12.23, 27-34).
And this Son of Man will be given a kingdom of “all peoples, nations, and languages”. We know that God created Adam & Eve, then all people descended from them (Gen 1.26-31, Acts 17.26, Rom 5.12). We know God loves all people & sent Jesus to be their Savior (Jn 3.16). And Jesus explained that in the end, He, the Son of Man, will gather His people from all nations (Mt 25.31-34).
And finally, this Son of Man’s kingdom will be an “everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed”. In their efforts to get Jesus crucified, the Jews twisted this understanding of the Son of Man’s kingdom & were accusing Jesus of being an earthly king before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate (Lk 23.1-2) – an unauthorized earthly kingship was illegal under Roman rule. When Pilate asked Jesus about this, He replied “My kingdom is not of this world… You say that I am a King. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world” (Jn 18.33-37). Indeed, Jesus has a kingdom, but it is not of the destructible type in this world & He came to Earth so He could live & die for us to make a way for us to enter His eternal kingdom (Col 1.13-14, 2 Pet 1.11).
Now with this understanding of the Son of Man, we can go back to the Messianic prophecy in Eze 37.24-28 & see that Jesus fulfills the role of the eternal king from David’s line; Jesus is the Good Shepherd & Prince (Jn 10.11, Isa 9.6); through Jesus we can have a covenant of peace with God (Rom 5.1); God dwells not just with His people, but in His people through His Holy Spirit (Jn 14.16-17); and through Jesus we can live with Him forever in His eternal kingdom (Mt 25.31-34)!
So, whenever you encounter Jesus using the name Son of Man, understand this is a reference to Jesus’s eternal, Messianic kingdom. The question is: are you part of His kingdom? Jesus explains that at the final judgement those who are not part of His kingdom will be sent to eternal punishment in hell (Mt 25.41, 46). Why? Because God is a God of justice & He must punish sin (violation of His moral law). We are all guilty. But because God is a God of love, He sacrificed His own Son, Jesus, to be punished in our place & provide a way for us to not only avoid hell, but to know Him. You can make Jesus your Lord & King by asking Him to forgive you & trusting solely in His own moral perfection (righteousness) to qualify you for His eternal kingdom. If you haven't done this, make Jesus your King today!
And this Son of Man will be given a kingdom of “all peoples, nations, and languages”. We know that God created Adam & Eve, then all people descended from them (Gen 1.26-31, Acts 17.26, Rom 5.12). We know God loves all people & sent Jesus to be their Savior (Jn 3.16). And Jesus explained that in the end, He, the Son of Man, will gather His people from all nations (Mt 25.31-34).
And finally, this Son of Man’s kingdom will be an “everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed”. In their efforts to get Jesus crucified, the Jews twisted this understanding of the Son of Man’s kingdom & were accusing Jesus of being an earthly king before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate (Lk 23.1-2) – an unauthorized earthly kingship was illegal under Roman rule. When Pilate asked Jesus about this, He replied “My kingdom is not of this world… You say that I am a King. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world” (Jn 18.33-37). Indeed, Jesus has a kingdom, but it is not of the destructible type in this world & He came to Earth so He could live & die for us to make a way for us to enter His eternal kingdom (Col 1.13-14, 2 Pet 1.11).
Now with this understanding of the Son of Man, we can go back to the Messianic prophecy in Eze 37.24-28 & see that Jesus fulfills the role of the eternal king from David’s line; Jesus is the Good Shepherd & Prince (Jn 10.11, Isa 9.6); through Jesus we can have a covenant of peace with God (Rom 5.1); God dwells not just with His people, but in His people through His Holy Spirit (Jn 14.16-17); and through Jesus we can live with Him forever in His eternal kingdom (Mt 25.31-34)!
So, whenever you encounter Jesus using the name Son of Man, understand this is a reference to Jesus’s eternal, Messianic kingdom. The question is: are you part of His kingdom? Jesus explains that at the final judgement those who are not part of His kingdom will be sent to eternal punishment in hell (Mt 25.41, 46). Why? Because God is a God of justice & He must punish sin (violation of His moral law). We are all guilty. But because God is a God of love, He sacrificed His own Son, Jesus, to be punished in our place & provide a way for us to not only avoid hell, but to know Him. You can make Jesus your Lord & King by asking Him to forgive you & trusting solely in His own moral perfection (righteousness) to qualify you for His eternal kingdom. If you haven't done this, make Jesus your King today!
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Col 1.13-14
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. – Mt 24.30
Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world (the regeneration), when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. – Mt 19.28-29