Son of Man

Many non-believers will point out that Jesus did not think he was God, because he called himself the Son of Man. However, the title Son of Man is not what they understand it to be. It is a title of Godly authority and divinity.

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20 ESV)

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death (Matthew 20:18 ESV)

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” (Mark 2:10-11 ESV)

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (Luke 7:34 ESV)

I must admit at one point this threw me as well. Why was Jesus, the Son of God, referring to himself as the Son of Man? Well you have to go to the old testament to understand the answer to that question. The title “Son of Man” comes from Daniel 7:13-14. In Daniel’s vision, “one like a son of man” came with the clouds of heaven. This figure was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom.

“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. (Daniel 7:13-14 ESV)

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time thought of the Son of Man as being equal to God, sitting at the right hand of God and having the authority of God. Jesus used this title for himself over eighty times in the Gospels. It emphasizes his humanity. However, it also carries claims of Godly authority and divinity. The title “Son of Man” is a way of revealing and concealing who Jesus is. It highlights his role as the Divine Judge and Eternal King.

When Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man, the Jewish leaders understood Jesus’s claims to be blasphemy, as they believed he was making himself God. Because of that statement they accused him of making himself equal with God and condemned him to death for blasphemy.

And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. (Mark 14:62-64 ESV)