Word Research
Word Study: "Son of Man" (Literal & Prophetic Use)
“Son of Man” is one of the most mysterious and powerful titles used in Scripture. It appears in both the Old and New Testaments, sometimes referring to humanity in general and other times pointing directly to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The Literal Use of "Son of Man"
In some contexts, “Son of Man” simply refers to a human being, emphasizing frailty, mortality, and man’s place before God.
📖 Examples of Literal Use:
- Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent.”
- Psalm 8:4 – “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
- Job 25:6 – “How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?”
- Ezekiel 2:1 – “And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.”
💡 Key Insights:
🔹 In these cases, “Son of Man” emphasizes human weakness in contrast to God’s greatness.
🔹 Ezekiel is called “Son of Man” over 90 times—symbolizing his prophetic role as God’s representative among men.
🔹 This title in the Old Testament often points to the idea of mortality, imperfection, and the contrast between man and God.
The Prophetic & Messianic Use of "Son of Man"
In prophecy, “Son of Man” is not just a term for humans—it is a title for the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
📖 Key Prophetic References:
Daniel 7:13-14 – “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. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him.”
- 🔹 Here, the “Son of Man” is a divine figure—not weak but glorified and ruling the nations.
- 🔹 This passage is one of the clearest Messianic prophecies—showing Jesus’ future reign.
Matthew 24:30 – “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
- 🔹 Jesus applies Daniel’s vision to Himself—He is the “Son of Man” coming in glory.
Revelation 1:13 – “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot.”
- 🔹 Jesus retains this title even in His glorified form—a sign that He remains both divine and human.
💡 Key Insights:
🔹 In Daniel 7, the “Son of Man” is given eternal dominion—this is clearly Christ.
🔹 Jesus called Himself “Son of Man” more than 80 times—this was His favorite self-designation!
🔹 In Revelation, Jesus still holds this title, connecting His earthly mission with His eternal rule.
🔥 This proves that the “Son of Man” is not just a reference to humanity—it is a title of divine authority and kingship.
Why Did Jesus Call Himself "Son of Man"?
Jesus almost exclusively referred to Himself as the “Son of Man” instead of using titles like “Messiah” or “Son of God” directly. But why?
📖 Matthew 20:28 – “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
💡 Reasons Jesus Used This Title:
✔ To Identify with Humanity – Jesus took on human flesh (Philippians 2:6-8).
✔ To Fulfill Prophecy – He directly connected Himself to Daniel 7:13.
✔ To Reveal His Role as Judge – He is the One who will return in glory (Matthew 24:30).
✔ To Keep His Identity Veiled Until the Right Time – The Jews expected a warrior Messiah; by calling Himself the “Son of Man,” He revealed His mission gradually.
🔥 The title “Son of Man” declares both Jesus’ humility and His ultimate authority as Judge and King.
The Dual Meaning: Son of Man as Suffering Servant & Conquering King
📖 Luke 9:22 – “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.”
📖 Matthew 25:31 – “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.”
💡 Key Pattern in Scripture:
✔ First, the Son of Man suffers (Messiah Ben Joseph) – Jesus came as the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).
✔ Then, the Son of Man reigns (Messiah Ben David) – He will return as the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16).
🔥 The “Son of Man” title bridges both roles—Christ’s humility and His final triumph.
The Prophetic Importance of "Son of Man"
The words “Son of Man” highlight the separation between fallen humanity and the Almighty due to sin. But through Christ, this gap is bridged.
Christ, the Son of God, took on flesh as the Son of Man—fully human, yet without sin—to redeem us and restore what was lost. He became the perfect mediator between Creator and creation, offering us the path to adoption as sons and daughters of God (John 1:12).
🔥 Luke’s Genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 reveals this truth beautifully:
✔ Luke 3:22 – Jesus is declared the Son of God.
✔ Luke 3:23-38 – Traces His lineage back to Adam, the “Son of God,” emphasizing how sin has distanced mankind from its original divine status.
The title “Son of Man” tells the story of:
- The Fall – From Adam, the first “Son of God,” to the long, broken lineage of sinful men.
- The Redemption – Jesus steps into humanity, experiencing every temptation yet remaining sinless (Hebrews 4:15).
- The Restoration – Through Christ, we are no longer “sons of men” but become “sons of God” (2 Corinthians 6:18, 1 John 3:1).
In Short:
💡 “Son of Man” is a title that emphasizes mortality, weakness, and suffering—the fallen state of humanity.
💡 Jesus, though divine as the “Son of God,” took on human flesh (“Son of Man”) to redeem mankind.
💡 Through His death and resurrection, fallen humanity can be restored to “Sons of God.”
Son of Man In English
Son of Man
Son of Man In Hebrew
בֶּן־אָדָם (ben adam)
Son of Man In Greek
ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (ho huios tou anthrōpou)
Word Count
The phrase “Son of man” appears in 196 verses in the 1611 King James Bible (KJV)