Daniel’s vision and Jesus’ own words introduce a discussion of what the title Son of Man reveals about his authority and identity.
Primary passage: Daniel 7:13–14
Jesus called himself “Son of Man.”
- Jesus called himself “Son of Man.” Does this mean that he was merely human?
Not only did Jesus call himself the Son of Man, but it is, in fact, the name he called himself more than any other. Jesus is referred to as the Son of Man 88 times in the New Testament.
- So the question is, what does Jesus mean by this? Is he merely a human? Why would God call himself the Son of Man?
Daniel 7:13–14
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
14. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Scholars have shown that Jesus’ repeated references to himself as a son of man were actually not a claim of humanity, though he certainly was human. Rather the phrase came from an old testament passage, in which the son of man has universal authority and everlasting dominion, and receives the worship of all nations. In other words, when Jesus says, he is the son of man, he is making a claim to divinity.
As more proof, look at the reaction of the theologians of the day. These are the Pharisees, who hated Jesus.
Mark 14:61–64
Mark 14:61. But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62. “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
- What was the Pharisees’ reaction?
Mark 14:63-64. The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked.
64. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.
Their response confirmed what Jesus meant. He was the son of man, the incarnation of God, the savior of the world.
Matthew 16:27
“for the Son of Man is going to come in his father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person, according to what they have done.”
Translation notice: The historical source does not explicitly identify the Scripture translation. Quotations are preserved as supplied; NIV is used only as the default passage-link destination.
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