The Son of Man

Illustration of The Son of Man

'Son of man' was Jesus' favorite self-designation, drawn from Daniel's vision of one 'like the Son of man' given everlasting dominion by the Ancient of Days. The title affirms both his true humanity and his heavenly authority and coming glory. Jesus used it to speak of his suffering, his authority to forgive sins, and his return in the clouds.

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Daniel 7

Key Passages

One Like the Son of Man

Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel foresees one 'like the Son of man' given everlasting dominion - a prophecy Jesus applied to himself.

I13 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.

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

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Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ Daniel Daniel was a young Israelite taken captive to Babylon in the sixth century BC, where he rose to prominenceโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

'Son of man' was Jesus' favorite title for himself - used over 80 times in the Gospels.

2

It comes from Daniel 7, where one 'like the Son of man' is given everlasting dominion.

3

It affirms both his real humanity and his heavenly authority.

4

At his trial, claiming to be the Son of man coming on the clouds was the charge of blasphemy.