The Son of Man

The one like the Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man and his royal authority.

The term “Son of Man” is the self-designation found most often on the lips of Jesus. It is derived from Daniel’s vision of the one “like a Son of Man” who received the “dominion and kingdom” from the “Ancient of Days.” All the tribes of the Earth will mourn when “they see the Son of man coming on the clouds of Heaven.”

In each instance, the Greek text reads “THE Son of Man.” The Greek definite article or “the” retains its demonstrative force (“this, that”). Translated idiomatically, Christ was “THAT Son of Man.” Jesus was not referring to humanity in general or his human nature but to a specific and known figure, the “Son of Man” described in the seventh chapter of the Book of Daniel.

[Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash]

Daniel saw a figure he called the “Little Horn” with “a mouth speaking great things.” It waged “war” against the “saints.” His vision concluded with a judgment scene and the appearance of the “Son of Man” who received “dominion” and judgment on behalf of the “saints.” After this figure’s war on God’s people, “judgment was given for the saints,” and they “possessed the kingdom” - (Daniel 7:13-27).

Features from this vision are found in the references to the “Son of Man” by Jesus as well as in related passages elsewhere in the New Testament, including:

• His “coming on clouds.”

• His approach to the “Ancient of Days” for judgment.

• His receipt of dominion over “peoples, races, and tongues.”

• The rendering of judgment for the saints.

AS THE SON OF MAN

Jesus is the “Son of Man who sows the seed” of the Gospel, a process that will consummate when the “Son of Man sends forth his angels to gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity.” Then, the “Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father to render to every man according to his deeds” – (Matthew 13:41, 16:27).

That same “Son of Man” was destined to suffer for his people (“For the Son of Man shall be delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him”), though death would not have the final word. “On the third day” after his execution, God resurrected him, and in the “regeneration, the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel” - (Matthew 17:22, 19:28).

His judgment will include punitive sentences on the members of Israel who condemned him to death. This understanding is borne out by Christ’s response to the High Priest at his trial - “I am he, and you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven” – (Matthew 19:28, 26:64).

In his testimony before the High Priest, Jesus combined the phrase from Daniel with a clause found in the Psalms, leaving no doubt that he was the Davidic Messiah appointed by God - “Yahweh declared to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your foes your footstool” - (Psalm 110:1. See Mark 14:62, Matthew 26:64, Luke 22:69).

The language from Daniel is prominent in passages that describe the return of Jesus. He is the glorious figure who will appear “on the clouds of heaven”:

• “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 on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” – (Matthew 24:30).

This description appears in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians when he describes the saints “meeting” Jesus as he descends from heaven - “Then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” – (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

In Daniel’s vision, the “Son of Man” approached the “Ancient of Days” and received the Kingdom on behalf of the “saints,” as well as the authority to reign over “all peoples, nations and tongues.” His enthronement occurred after the “Little Horn” waged “war against the saints and prevailed over them.” Likewise, the receipt of “dominion” by Jesus came only after his Death and Resurrection – (Matthew 20:28, 28:18-20).

The authors of the New Testament use several Old Testament images to portray aspects of Christ's ministry, including the “Son of Man.” Whenever he referred to himself as “THE Son of Man,” he intended for his audience to link him to this figure in the seventh chapter of Daniel.

Jesus employed this term to describe his future return and in reference to his suffering and death. “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He is “THAT Son of Man.” Both aspects are necessary when applying this term to the man from Nazareth, and to understand his Messianic ministry and reign.

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SEE ALSO:

• His Name is Jesus - (The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘Yahweh saves.’ In the Nazarene, the salvation promised to Israel has arrived in all its glory)

• The Messiah Arrives - (In the ministry of Jesus, the kingdom of God arrived, commencing with his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist – Mark 1:1-3)

• His Authority - (He is the Son of Man foreseen by Daniel, the Messiah who has absolute authority from Yahweh over the Earth)

{Published originally on the Kingdom Disciples website}