Why did Jesus call Himself the Son of man?

The title “Son of Man” is one of the most profound and frequently used self-designations of Jesus in the New Testament. It appears over 80 times in the Gospels, and its usage has been the subject of extensive theological analysis. This phrase carries deep significance, drawing from Old Testament imagery and fulfilling messianic prophecies. In this study, we will explore why Jesus called Himself the Son of Man, examining its Old Testament roots, its implications in the New Testament, and what it reveals about His identity and mission.

Old Testament Roots of the Title “Son of Man”

To understand why Jesus used the title “Son of Man,” it is crucial to first explore its Old Testament origins. The term “son of man” appears in the Hebrew Scriptures, most notably in the book of Daniel and the writings of the prophets.

Daniel 7:13-14: The Messianic Son of Man

One of the most significant passages that sheds light on the meaning of “Son of Man” is found in Daniel 7:13-14:

“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. 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.” (Daniel 7:13-14, NKJV)

In this vision, Daniel sees a figure “like the Son of Man” coming with the clouds of heaven, approaching the “Ancient of Days” (a title for God), and receiving an everlasting kingdom. This passage is a key messianic prophecy, pointing to a divine figure who will rule over all nations with an unending dominion. The imagery of “coming with the clouds” and receiving authority from God suggests both the divine and human aspects of the Messiah’s identity.

The term “Son of Man” in this context indicates a figure who represents humanity yet possesses divine authority. This dual nature of being both human and divine is central to the identity of the Messiah in Jewish thought, and it is this imagery that Jesus evokes when He calls Himself the Son of Man.

The Prophets: Humanity and Divine Commission

The phrase “son of man” is also used in the prophetic books, particularly in Ezekiel, where God addresses the prophet as “son of man” (e.g., Ezekiel 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, etc.). In these instances, the term emphasizes the humanity of the prophet in contrast to God’s divine power. It underscores the prophet’s role as a human instrument through whom God delivers His message.

This usage highlights the humanity of the person being addressed. However, when Jesus applies this title to Himself, He transforms it, infusing it with the messianic authority and divine attributes described in Daniel 7. By calling Himself the Son of Man, Jesus identifies with humanity while also claiming a unique and exalted role in God’s redemptive plan.

Jesus as the Son of Man in the New Testament

Jesus’ use of the title “Son of Man” is multifaceted, reflecting His identity, mission, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. We will explore several key aspects of this title as it appears in the New Testament.

1. The Son of Man and His Authority

One of the primary reasons Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of Man is to assert His divine authority. In the Gospels, Jesus uses this title to emphasize His authority over various aspects of life, including the forgiveness of sins, the Sabbath, and judgment.

In Matthew 9:6, for example, Jesus demonstrates His authority to forgive sins:

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”-then He said to the paralytic, ‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.'” (Matthew 9:6, NKJV)

In this passage, Jesus heals a paralyzed man to prove that He, as the Son of Man, has the authority to forgive sins. The act of forgiveness is something that only God can do, and by claiming this authority, Jesus is revealing His divine nature.

Similarly, in Mark 2:27-28, Jesus asserts His lordship over the Sabbath:

“And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.'” (Mark 2:27-28, NKJV)

By declaring Himself “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus claims authority over one of the most sacred institutions in God’s moral law (Exodus 20:1-17). This statement not only affirms His divine authority but also challenges the legalistic interpretations of the Pharisees, emphasizing that the Sabbath should serve humanity’s needs rather than be a burden.

2. The Son of Man and His Suffering

Another significant reason Jesus uses the title “Son of Man” is to highlight His role as the Suffering Servant. Jesus repeatedly refers to Himself as the Son of Man when predicting His suffering, death, and resurrection.

In Matthew 20:18-19, Jesus foretells His passion:

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:18-19, NKJV)

Here, Jesus connects the title “Son of Man” with His impending suffering and crucifixion. This association with suffering is rooted in Isaiah’s depiction of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), who bears the sins of many and is led like a lamb to the slaughter. By identifying Himself as the Son of Man, Jesus fulfills the role of the Suffering Servant who would endure suffering and death to bring redemption to humanity.

In Mark 10:45, Jesus further elaborates on the purpose of His suffering:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, NKJV)

This verse encapsulates the mission of the Son of Man: to serve and to sacrifice Himself as a ransom for many. Jesus’ use of the title emphasizes His willingness to suffer and die for the salvation of humanity, fulfilling the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.

3. The Son of Man and His Return in Glory

In addition to highlighting His authority and suffering, Jesus uses the title “Son of Man” to describe His future return in glory. This aspect of the title is closely linked to the vision in Daniel 7, where the Son of Man is depicted as coming with the clouds of heaven to receive an everlasting kingdom.

In Matthew 24:30-31, Jesus speaks of His second coming:

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 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. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:30-31, NKJV)

Here, Jesus clearly identifies Himself as the Son of Man who will return in glory at the end of the age. This return is characterized by power, authority, and the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world. The imagery of coming “with the clouds of heaven” directly echoes Daniel 7:13, reinforcing the connection between Jesus and the divine figure prophesied in the Old Testament.

Furthermore, in Matthew 25:31-32, Jesus describes the final judgment:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-32, NKJV)

In this passage, the Son of Man is depicted as the judge of all nations, exercising divine authority to separate the righteous from the wicked. This role as judge further emphasizes the Son of Man’s divine nature and His ultimate authority over all creation.

4. The Son of Man as the Fulfillment of Prophecy

Throughout His ministry, Jesus used the title “Son of Man” to reveal Himself as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. By doing so, He connected His mission and identity to the messianic expectations of the Jewish people while also expanding and redefining those expectations in ways that were unexpected.

In Luke 4:17-21, Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah in the synagogue and applies the prophecy to Himself:

“And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.’ Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'” (Luke 4:17-21, NKJV)

By declaring that this Scripture is fulfilled in their hearing, Jesus identifies Himself as the anointed one, the Messiah, who has come to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah. Although the title “Son of Man” is not explicitly mentioned in this passage, the connection to His messianic role is clear.

In John 12:23-24, Jesus also speaks of His impending death in terms of fulfilling His mission:

“But Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.'” (John 12:23-24, NKJV)

Here, Jesus speaks of His death as the moment of glorification for the Son of Man. By using the metaphor of a grain of wheat, He emphasizes the necessity of His sacrifice for the sake of bringing forth new life-a theme that is deeply connected to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

Theological Significance of the Title “Son of Man”

The title “Son of Man” is theologically rich and multifaceted. It encapsulates the mystery of the Incarnation, the dual nature of Christ, His role as the suffering Messiah, and His future return in glory. By using this title, Jesus communicated profound truths about His identity and mission, inviting His followers to see Him as both fully human and fully divine.

1. The Incarnation: God Becoming Man

The title “Son of Man” emphasizes the reality of the Incarnation-God becoming man. Jesus, as the Son of Man, fully identifies with humanity. He experienced the full range of human emotions, temptations, and sufferings. The author of Hebrews highlights this aspect of Jesus’ identity:

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NKJV)

By calling Himself the Son of Man, Jesus affirms His solidarity with humanity. He is not a distant or detached deity but one who has entered into the human experience, understanding our struggles and offering Himself as the perfect mediator between God and man.

2. The Suffering Messiah: Redemption Through Sacrifice

The title “Son of Man” also underscores Jesus’ role as the Suffering Messiah. Unlike the prevailing expectations of a political or military messiah, Jesus reveals that His mission involves suffering, death, and ultimately, resurrection. The suffering of the Son of Man is central to the redemption of humanity, as Jesus bears the weight of sin and offers Himself as a sacrifice for all.

In Philippians 2:6-8, Paul captures the humility and self-emptying of the Son of Man:

“Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8, NKJV)

Jesus’ use of the title “Son of Man” is a profound expression of His willingness to embrace suffering for the sake of humanity’s redemption.

3. The Glorious King: The Hope of the Second Coming

Finally, the title “Son of Man” points to the future hope of Jesus’ return as the glorious King. The New Testament presents the Son of Man as the one who will come again in power and glory to establish God’s kingdom fully. This eschatological dimension of the title offers believers the assurance that history is moving toward the fulfillment of God’s purposes, where the Son of Man will reign supreme.

In Revelation 1:7, the return of the Son of Man is described with vivid imagery:

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7, NKJV)

The return of the Son of Man is not only a moment of judgment but also the culmination of God’s plan for redemption and the restoration of creation.

Conclusion

The title “Son of Man” is a profound and multifaceted self-designation used by Jesus to reveal His identity, mission, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. By calling Himself with this title, Jesus connects His mission to the messianic hopes of the Jewish people while also redefining those hopes in light of His suffering, death, and resurrection.

The title encapsulates the mystery of the Incarnation, the role of the Suffering Messiah, and the future hope of the Son of Man’s return in glory. It emphasizes both Jesus’ identification with humanity and His divine authority, offering a comprehensive picture of who He is and what He came to accomplish.

In a world where titles and identities often separate the divine from the human, the title “Son of Man” uniquely unites these aspects in the person of Jesus Christ, inviting believers to understand and embrace the fullness of His nature and the depth of His love for humanity.