How is Jesus the Son of Man?

Quick answer

When Jesus called Himself the “Son of Man,” He was referring to His humanity but also pointing beyond it. The title, Son of Man, comes from Daniel 7, combining Jesus’ identity as both divine and human, the One who represents mankind before God and reigns with eternal authority.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The meaning of the phrase “son of man” evolved and changed throughout the Old Testament. Originally, it emphasized sinfulness (Genesis 11:5), later coming to signify mankind’s weakness and mortality (Psalm 8:4). Later in Israel’s history, the term was unexpectedly applied to Ezekiel because he was a righteous, rather than sinful, man, becoming the first “son of man” who represented sinful humans (Ezekiel 2:1–3). Soon after, a vision in Daniel introduced a significant expansion, where “one like a son of man” came with the clouds of heaven and was given everlasting dominion and glory (Daniel 7:13–14). While this figure was human, riding on clouds also signaled His divinity.

Jesus adopted this title as a favorite way of speaking about Himself. At times, He used it to emphasize His humility and human frailty (Matthew 8:20); yet other times, He used it to proclaim His divinity. For example, He told the leaders who wanted to kill Him that He would later be seen coming on the clouds, like Daniel’s divine figure (Mark 14:62). Similarly, Stephen affirmed this divine aspect when he said he saw Jesus as the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56), which caused the Jews to cover their ears and lunge at him for speaking blasphemy. Together, the Bible shows that Jesus is the Son of Man who shares our humanity, represents us before God, and is the eternal, reigning Lord.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

The first use of “son of man” in Scripture showed how sinful humanity was. It was used during the time of the Tower of Babel when the “sons of man” (Genesis 11:5, NASB) were building a tower to compete with God (Genesis 11:4).

Over time, the phrase “son of man” came to symbolize human weakness and frailty. We see this in passages such as Psalm 8:4, where David asks, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”

In Ezekiel, at the height of Israel’s sin just before their exile, the term was expanded to refer to a righteous man representing sinful Israel before God. Throughout the book, God repeatedly calls Ezekiel “son of man” (Ezekiel 2:1–3), reminding him that he has been chosen to serve as Israel’s spokesman.

Taking one step further, Daniel 7 expands the term one last time. In that chapter, there is a vision of heaven’s throne room where Daniel sees “one like a son of man” coming on the clouds of heaven. Because that One is perfectly righteous, He can stand before the Ancient of Days, who grants Him an everlasting dominion and glory (Daniel 7:13–14). Therefore, unlike earlier uses, this final Son of Man is not only a perfectly righteous human but also shares divine authority, worship, and an eternal reign. The title thus came to refer to a specific future kingly figure who is both fully human and fully divine.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Jesus called Himself 'Son of Man' multiple times. Sometimes, He used it to emphasize His humanity. For example, He said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20) and that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). Even in these instances, His suffering was connected to His larger mission as the divine Son of Man who would save His people.

At other times, Jesus used it to emphasize His divinity and kingship. For example, when confronted by Israel’s leaders who asked Him directly if He was the Son of God, Jesus replied, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). By alluding to Daniel 7, Jesus was making a direct claim to divine authority. The high priest responded by tearing his clothes and saying, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy” (Mark 14:63–64a).

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, confirmed Jesus’ exalted status as both the eternal king and divine. The Jewish leaders were fiercely angry at him, as we read, “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God’” (Acts 7:55–56). The leaders understood what he was saying about Jesus. In response, “they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him” (Acts 7:57). They killed him because they knew he was saying that Jesus was the divine Son of Man Daniel had spoken about.

So, while Jesus may have sometimes used the title to reflect His humanity, His main focus was on the deeper meaning: the Son of Man as the human representative who was also divine, exalted, and reigning forever.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The truth that Jesus is both God and man is the core of the saving gospel. If He were only human, He would have been crushed under the same sin and judgment that weigh on us all. If He were only divine, He could not have stood in our place as one of us. But in taking on flesh while remaining fully God, He became the perfect mediator—able to bear the full penalty of sin as man and to satisfy God’s justice as God. That is, as the Son of Man, His death was the only sufficient sacrifice that could remove guilt and give men and women access to the Father.

Because Jesus alone lived without sin, salvation depends entirely on His finished work, not on our efforts. In His death, He bore the judgment we deserve; in His resurrection, God confirmed that the debt was fully paid and that eternal life is secured. The gospel calls us to respond—to turn from sin and trust in Him as fully God and fully man. Only He can remove guilt, reconcile us to God, and give us lasting hope. To reject Him is to remain under condemnation, but to receive Him in faith is to know forgiveness, peace with God, and the promise of life that never ends.

UNDERSTAND

The title “Son of Man” emphasizes Jesus’ humanity, humility, and identification with mankind.

The title “Son of Man” also points to His divine authority and eternal reign, as foretold in Daniel’s vision.

By being both fully human and fully divine, Jesus serves as the perfect mediator and Savior.

REFLECT

How does Jesus’ humanity as the Son of Man affect the way you relate and respond to Him?

How does Jesus’ dual nature give you confidence in His power to save and intercede for you?

How does recognizing Jesus as the Son of Man change your understanding of His mission and suffering?

ENGAGE

How does Jesus’ use of the title “Son of Man” connect Old Testament prophecy to the gospel message?

What is the significance of Jesus being the Son of Man?

How can reflecting on Jesus’ dual nature help the Church encourage hope and perseverance in today’s world?