The "Son of Man" Title in Daniel and the Gospels
The title "Son of Man" is one of the most profound and frequently used designations for Jesus Christ in the New Testament, appearing over eighty times, almost exclusively on His own lips. Far from being a simple declaration of His humanity, this title carries immense theological weight, drawing its roots from Old Testament prophecy, particularly the book of Daniel. Understanding the "Son of Man" requires a journey through Daniel's vision of a divine, authoritative figure and then observing how Jesus meticulously applies and expands upon this prophetic identity throughout the Gospels, revealing His true nature as both fully God and fully man, destined for suffering, resurrection, and ultimate judgment.
The Prophetic Foundation in Daniel
The clearest and most significant Old Testament reference to the "Son of Man" title is found in the seventh chapter of Daniel. Daniel's vision describes four great beasts representing earthly kingdoms, followed by a dramatic scene in heaven:
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
This "one like the Son of man" is not merely a human figure but a celestial being, approaching God Himself ("the Ancient of days"). The description "with the clouds of heaven" is a divine prerogative, often associated with God's presence and glory in the Old Testament (e.g., Exodus 19:9, Psalms 104:3). The authority granted to this figure is unparalleled:
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
This passage reveals a Messianic figure who possesses universal, eternal dominion and receives worship. He is distinct from the earthly kingdoms, representing a divine, heavenly authority that will ultimately triumph over all earthly powers. This "Son of Man" is therefore understood as a pre-existent, glorious, and sovereign being, destined to establish an everlasting kingdom. This prophetic blueprint lays the groundwork for Jesus' later claims.
Jesus' Self-Designation in the Gospels
While titles like "Messiah" or "Son of God" were fraught with political and nationalistic expectations among the Jews, Jesus frequently chose "Son of Man" as His primary self-designation. This allowed Him to define His mission on His own terms, avoiding immediate misinterpretations while subtly hinting at His divine origin and ultimate destiny as prophesied in Daniel. By using this title, Jesus asserted His unique identity as the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy, yet simultaneously emphasized aspects of His mission that were not immediately apparent to His contemporaries.
The Multifaceted Meaning of "Son of Man" in the Gospels
His Earthly Humanity and MinistryOne aspect of the "Son of Man" title that Jesus emphasized was His genuine humanity and identification with mankind. It underscored His willingness to humble Himself, live among men, and experience the fullness of human existence, including its limitations and sufferings. He truly became one of us, a man among men, yet without sin.
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
This verse highlights His earthly humility and lack of worldly possessions. Furthermore, His mission was to seek and save the lost, an act of profound human compassion and divine purpose:
His Divine Authority and PowerFor the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
While emphasizing His humanity, Jesus also used "Son of Man" to assert His divine authority, directly linking back to Daniel's vision of universal dominion. He claimed powers that only God possessed:
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
This was a direct assertion of His divine prerogative, understood by the scribes as blasphemy because only God could forgive sins.
Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
This elevated Him above the Mosaic Law, placing Him in a position of divine sovereignty.
His Suffering, Death, and ResurrectionPerhaps the most distinctive and challenging aspect of Jesus' use of "Son of Man" was its association with His suffering, death, and resurrection. This was a radical reinterpretation of the Danielic figure, who was depicted only in glory and power. Jesus repeatedly prophesied His passion to His disciples, linking it inextricably to His identity as the Son of Man:
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
He clearly articulated His suffering and ultimate triumph:
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
This suffering Servant motif, intertwined with the glorious Son of Man, reveals the central paradox of Christ's mission: His path to universal dominion was through humble sacrifice and resurrection.
His Future Glory and JudgmentFinally, Jesus consistently used the "Son of Man" title to speak of His glorious Second Coming and His role as the ultimate Judge, echoing the Danielic vision of universal dominion and judgment. This aspect brought the full circle of the prophecy to light, showing that His humiliation was temporary and His glory eternal.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
He will return with power and great glory, gathering all nations before Him:
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
His role as judge is also explicitly stated:
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
This confirms that the "Son of Man" is not just a human figure, but the appointed divine agent of God's ultimate justice and reign.
The Theological Significance
The "Son of Man" title is indispensable for a comprehensive understanding of Jesus Christ. Its profound theological significance lies in several key areas:
- Continuity of Prophecy: It seamlessly connects the Old Testament prophetic anticipation of a divine, sovereign ruler with the New Testament fulfillment in Jesus. It demonstrates that God's plan for redemption and dominion was meticulously laid out from antiquity.
- Fullness of Christ's Person: The title uniquely encapsulates both the true humanity of Jesus (His identification with mankind, His suffering, and His earthly life) and His undeniable deity (His pre-existence, divine authority, universal dominion, and role as judge). It underscores the hypostatic union—that Jesus is fully God and fully man.
- Purpose of His Mission: It reveals the scope of Christ's work, from His incarnation and humble service, through His atoning death and resurrection, to His glorious ascension and promised return in judgment and power. It defines His unique mission not only as a suffering servant but also as the reigning King.
Conclusion
The "Son of Man" title, as revealed in Daniel and illuminated by Jesus in the Gospels, is far more than a simple descriptor; it is a profound theological statement of Christ's identity and mission. It bridges the gap between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, presenting Jesus as the glorious, authoritative figure seen by Daniel, yet simultaneously as the humble, suffering servant who came to redeem humanity. By embracing this title, Jesus asserted His divine authority, foretold His sacrificial death, and promised His triumphant return. Thus, the "Son of Man" stands as a foundational truth, inviting believers to worship a Savior who perfectly embodies both perfect humanity and sovereign deity, and who will one day return with the clouds of heaven to establish His everlasting kingdom.