The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

Son of Man

Heb. Ben Adam (Gk. ho huios tou anthropou).

This title, hinting at the apocolyptic redeemer of (Dan 7:13) where everlasting dominion is ascribed to the Messiah, was continually used by Christ and occurs sixty-one times in the gospels.

Dan 7:13-14

13 "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.

14 Then 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 the one which shall not be destroyed.

In the light of the corresponding term "the Son of God," which stresses Christ's deity, the term "Son of Man" emphasizes His divine humanity. Whereas the gospel of John presents Christ as the Son of God, the gospel of Luke presents Him as the Son of Man. The term "Son of Man" is Christ's racial name as a representative man (cf. <1 Cor. 15:45-47>). The term "Son of David" delineates His kingly Jewish name, as "Son of God" denotes His divine name.