Why was Jesus called the Son of Man?
The title “Son of Man” was one of the most common ways that Jesus Christ referred to himself in the New Testament. It appears over 80 times in the Gospels. The phrase has several meanings based on Jewish scripture and how Jesus used it.
1. It Emphasizes Jesus’ Humanity
The phrase “son of man” can simply mean a human being.
By using this title, Jesus showed that he:
- Lived as a real human
- Experienced hunger, pain, and suffering
- Shared the human condition
This highlights that Jesus was both fully human and (in Christian belief) divine.
2. It Refers to a Prophecy in the Book of Daniel
The phrase also connects to a prophecy in the Old Testament in the:
- Book of Daniel
In Daniel 7:13–14, a mysterious figure called “one like a son of man” comes with the clouds of heaven and receives authority and an eternal kingdom from God.
Many Christians believe Jesus used this title to show that he was the promised Messiah and future ruler described in that vision.
3. It Was a Humble Way for Jesus to Refer to Himself
Instead of constantly calling himself Messiah or King, Jesus often used “Son of Man” as a more subtle title.
He used it when talking about:
- His mission
- His suffering and death
- His future return
For example, in the Gospel of Mark he says:
“The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.”
✅ In simple terms:
Christians understand “Son of Man” to mean that Jesus is:
A humble servant who will one day rule
Truly human
The Messiah predicted in scripture