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The title Son of Man was one which Jesus deliberately chose for himself, and since it occurs approximately 82 times in the New Testament (depending on the translation), we should understand what Jesus meant by this title, and why he used it.
The phrase Son of Man was most commonly used, not as a title, but rather as a normal expression for a man, a human being, a member of the human race. This phrase was common to both the Aramaic language as well as the Hebrew. Throughout the Old Testament we find the phrase being used in just this manner. For example, the Psalmist asks, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou dost care for him," (Psalms 8:4). The phrase also occurs more than 90 times in Ezekiel alone, and in every instance it was the way Jehovah addressed Ezekiel.
Certainly no one would argue the point that in using this phrase Jesus was identifying himself as God the Son who had also taken upon himself the form of man. But the phrase means much more than a simplistic effort to identify Jesus with mankind.
The origin of the title is found in Daniel chapter 7 where the prophet sees a vision of the great empires which would rule the world. In verses 13 and 14, the prophet describes "one like unto the Son of Man" who comes before "the Ancient of Days" and was given "dominion, glory and a kingdom." Therefore, it was understood that the title Son of Man was another way of describing the Messiah, who would come to establish his kingdom "which shall not be destroyed."
This idea was even more fully developed in the mind and writings of the people of Israel during the period between the Testaments. Therefore, by the time of Jesus, the title Son of Man was unmistakably understood to be equated with the Messiah.
When Jesus chose this title for himself, he used a phrase which was already commonly known among the people of God. However, the way in which Jesus used the phrase was so extraordinary that it literally shocked the people into listening to him more carefully.
The shockingly new way in which Jesus used the title was to used Son of Man as a substitute for the first person pronoun "I." An example is found in Luke 9:58 where Jesus said, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." There are a number of other examples where Jesus spoke of himself in this way: Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34. (also compare Matthew 16:13-15 with Mark 8:27 and Luke 9:20) No one could possibly misunderstand Jesus' words. He was calling himself the Son of Man - the Messiah.
There are other occasions when Jesus would use the title Son of Man. For instance, Jesus used the title when he was making his greatest claims, such as the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), or the Son of Man came to serve and to offer his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45; Matthew 20:28). He used the title in connection with the resurrection (Matthew 17:9; Mark 9:9). Jesus also used the title concerning the glory into which he would enter (Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:26; Luke 22:69). And ultimately, Jesus used the title when speaking of his judgments (Matthew 24:27 - against Jerusalem and Matthew 25:31-32 - at the end of time).
However, the most surprising way in which Jesus used the title Son of Man was in connection with his suffering and death. In fact, he used the term in this context more than in any other.
Here are only a few references: "...so also the Son of Man shall suffer at their hands," (Matthew 17:12). "The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him..." (Matthew 17:22; Mark 9:31). "And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things," (Mark 8:31; Matthew 16:21; Mark 10:33; Matthew 20:18; Luke 9:44; 18:31-32). "...the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified," (Matthew 26:2).
This was a shocking claim for Jesus to make because it was contrary to the popular concept of what the Son of Man or the Messiah would accomplish. To the thinking of the Jews in Jesus' day, the Son of Man would come in absolute power, leading Israel to a victorious conquest over the other nations of the world. There was nothing in their theology that allowed room for a suffering Savior, who would come in obedience to his Father's will, and end his life in humiliation and rejection.
Even Peter reacted adversely to Jesus announcing that the Savior would suffer many things and be killed (Matthew 16:22; Mark 8:32). Although Peter's reaction was partly due to his great love for Jesus, he also shared a common misunderstanding about the purposes the Son of Man would accomplish in this world.
Therefore, when Jesus used the title Son of Man and applied it to himself, there were two inescapable conclusions that his hearers would have to draw.
One, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of Man who came before the Ancient of Days to receive dominion, glory and a kingdom which would never be destroyed.
And two, this Son of Man was nothing like the people had envisioned. He would indeed conquer, and lead his people forth in victory, receiving dominion, glory and a kingdom – but he would do this through his own suffering, death and ultimate resurrection from the dead. For the Son of Man was heading for the cross of Calvary. |
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