Son of Man (sources)

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This page includes ancient sources dealing with the phrase and title of Son of Man.

Overview

The phrase Son of Man is used as a synonym for "man". In Ezekiel it denotes the prophet as a "mortal" in comparison to the greatness of God.

Since in Daniel the one who receives power appears in the vision as a "son of man" (=a man), the phrase was used in some apocalyptic circles to denote the heavenly Messiah, as attested in the Book of the Parables of Enoch. The earliest Christian sources followed this path, but soon after the divinity of Jesus was affirmed, in later Christian sources the term was forgotten in its original meaning and understood as a mark of the "humanity" of the Christ.

Outside these apocalyptic circles, the phrase continued to be used as a synonym for "man".

Ancient Jewish sources

Numbers

  • Num 23:19

God is not a man (איש), that he should lie,

or a son of man (בן–אדם), that he should change his mind.

Psalms

  • Psalm 8:4-5:

[4] What is man (אנוש), that You think of him?

The son of man (בן–אדם), that You care for him?

[5] For You have made him a little lower than God,

And crowned him with glory and honor.

  • Psalm 80:17:

Let Your hand be on the man (איש) of your right hand,

On the son of man (בן–אדם) whom you made strong for yourself.

  • Psalm 144:3-4:

[3] YHWH, what is man (אדם), that You care for him?

Or the son of man (בן–אנוש), that You think of him?

[4] Man (אדם) is like a breath,

His days are like a shadow that passes away.

  • Psalm 146:3-4:

[3] Don’t put your trust in princes,

Each a son of man (בן–אדם) in whom there is no help.

[4] His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth.

In that very day, his thoughts perish.

Jeremiah

  • Jer 49:18 :

As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith the LORD, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man (בן־אדם) dwell in it.

  • Jer 49:33 :

And Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons, and a desolation for ever: there shall no man abide there, nor any son of man (בן־אדם) dwell in it.

  • Jer 50:40 :

As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith the LORD; so shall no man abide there, neither shall any son of man (בן־אדם) dwell therein.

  • Jer 51:43 :

Her cities are a desolation, a dry land, and a wilderness, a land wherein no man dwelled, neither doth any son of man (בן־אדם) pass thereby.

Isaiah

  • Is 51:12:

I, even I, am he who comforts you:

who are you, that you are afraid of man (אנוש) who shall die,

and of the son of man (בן־אדם) who shall be made as grass.

  • Is 56:2:

Blessed is the man (אנוש) who does this,

and the son of man (בן־אדם) who holds it fast;

who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it,

and keeps his hand from doing any evil.

Ezekiel

  • Ez 2:1 [passim, 94 times] :

He (i.e. God) said to me, Son of man (בן־אדם)...

  • See 2:1,2,6,8; 3:1,3,4,10,17,25; 4:1,16; 5:1; 6:2; 7:2; 8:5,6,8,12,15,17; 11:2,4,15; 12:2,3,9,18,22,27; 13:2,17; 14:13; 15:2; 16:2; 17:2; 19:10; 20:3,4,27,46; 21:2,6,9,12,14,19,28; 22:2,18,24; 23:2,36; 24:2,16,25; 25:2; 26:2; 27:2; 28:2,12,21; 29:2,18; 30:2,21; 31:2,5; 32:2,18; 33:2,7,10,12,24,30; 34:2.

Job

  • Job 16:20b-21 :

[20] ...My eyes pour out tears to God,

[21] That he would maintain the right of a man (גבר) with God,

Of a son of man (בן–אדם) with his neighbor!

  • Job 25:4-6 :

[4] How then can man be just with God?

Or how can he who is born of a woman be clean?

[5] Behold, even the moon has no brightness,

And the stars are not pure in his sight;

[6] How much less man (אנוש), who is a worm!

The son of man (בן–אדם), who is a worm!

  • Job 35:8 :

[8] Your wickedness may hurt a man (איש) as you are;

And your righteousness may profit a son of man (בן–אדם).

Genesis Apocryphon

  • 1QapGen XXI.13 (Aramaic) :

And I will multiply your seed like the dirt of the earth which no son of man (בר~אנוש) can count.

Book of Daniel

  • Dan 7 (Aramaic) :

As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire... The court sat in judgment and the books were opened... And as I watched, the beast was put to death and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire... As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a son of man (בר אנש) coming from the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away...

  • Dan 8:16-17 (Hebrew):

[16] I heard a man's voice (קול–אדם) between the banks of the Ulai, which called, and said, "Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision." [17] So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was frightened, and fell on my face: but he said to me, "Understand, son of man (בן–אדם); for the vision belongs to the time of the end."

Parables of Enoch

I saw one who had a “Head of Days”: his head was white, like wool, and with him was another, who face had the appearance of a man: it was full of graciousness, a face like one of the angels… Before even the sun or the heavenly signs were created… his name was named before the Lord of the Spirits... He will be the light of the Gentiles and the hope of those who are troubled in heart. All who dwell on the earth will fall down and worship before him… His glory is for ever and ever, and his might from generation to generation. In him dwells the spirit of wisdom… He will judge the things that are secret… The Lord of the Spirits seated him on the throne of his glory… For from the beginning the Son of Man was hidden and the Most High preserved him in the presence of his power, but he has revealed him to the chosen…

Early Christian Sources

Gospel of Mark

  • Mark 2:10

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—...

  • Mark 2:28

So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.

  • Mark 8:31

And he began to teach them 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 8:38

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

  • Mark 9:9

And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

  • Mark 9:12

And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

  • Mark 9:31

...for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

  • Mark 10:33

...saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.

  • Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

  • Mark 13:26

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

  • Mark.14.21

For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

  • Mark 14:41

And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

  • Mark 14:62

And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Gospel of Matthew

  • Matthew 8:20

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

  • Matthew 9:6

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

  • Matthew 10:23

When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

  • Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

  • Matthew 12:8

For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.

  • Matthew 12:32

And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

  • Matthew 12:40

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

  • Matthew 13:37

He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

  • Matthew 13:41

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers...

  • Matthew 16:13

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

  • Matthew 16:27-28

[27] For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. [28] Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

  • Matthew 17:9

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

  • Matthew 17:12

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.”

  • Matthew 17:22

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men...

  • Matthew 19:28

Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • Matthew 20:18

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death

  • Matthew 20:28

... even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

  • Matthew 24:27-30

[27] For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... [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... [37] As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... [39] and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

  • Matthew 25:31-32

But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

  • Matthew 26:2

“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

  • Matthew 26:24

The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

  • Matthew 26:45

Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

  • Matthew 26:64

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Gospel of Luke

  • Luke 5:24

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

  • Luke 6:5

And he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

  • Luke 6:22

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!

  • Luke 7:34

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, "Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"

  • Luke 9:22

...saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

  • Luke 9:26

"For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

  • Luke 9:44

“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”

  • Luke 9:58

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

  • Luke 11:30

For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

  • Luke 12:8

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God...

  • Luke 12:10

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

  • Luke 12:40

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

  • Luke 17:22-30

[22] And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it... [24] For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day... [26] Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man... [30] so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

  • Luke 18:8

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

  • Luke 18:31

And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.

  • Luke 19.10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

  • Luke 21:27

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

  • Luke.21.36

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man...

  • Luke 22:22

For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

  • Luke 22:48

but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

  • Luke 24:7

...that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

Acts of the Apostles

  • Acts 7:54-57 :

Filled with the Holy Spirit, (Stephen) gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!

Gospel of Thomas

  • Thomas 86:

Jesus said: [The foxes have] the[ir holes] and the birds have [their] nest, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head and rest.

Letter to the Hebrews

  • Hebrews 2:6-9:

What is man that You are mindful of him,

Or the son of man that You take care of him?

You have made him a little lower than the angels;

You have crowned him with glory and honor,

And set him over the works of Your hands.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet."

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Gospel of John

  • John 1:51 (NRSV) -- And he [i.e. Jesus] said to him [i.e. Nathanael], "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
  • John 3:13-15 (NRSV) -- [13] No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. [14] And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
  • John 5:27 (NRSV) -- The Father… has given [the Son] authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
  • John 6:27.53.62 (NRSV) -- [27] Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal... [53] Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you... [61] ...Does this offend you? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
  • John 8:28 (NRSV) -- When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me.
  • John 9:35-38 (NRSV) -- [35] Jesus... said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" [36] He answered: "And who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him." [37] Jesus said to him: "You have seen him and the one speaking with you is he." [38] He said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped him.
  • John 12:23.34 (NRSV) -- [23] Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified"... [34] The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?"
  • John 13:31 (NRSV) -- Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him"

Revelation of John

  • Rev 1:13-14 -- I saw one like the Son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire.
    • Cf. Revelation 5-7 -- Then I saw… a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne… Then I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne… Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing… And the elders fell down and worshiped… Then I saw the Lamb open one of seven seals… After this I looked and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb… and the Lamb at the center of his throne will be their shepherd.
  • Rev 14:14

Justin Martyr

He (i.e. Jesus) shall come on the clouds as the Son of Man, as Daniel foretold, and His angels shall come with Him

Irenaeus

  • Against Heresies (Book III, Chapter 19)

[1] the Word of God was made man, and He who was the Son of God became the Son of Man

the Son of man... is Christ, the Son of the living God.

[3] He therefore, the Son of God, our Lord, being the Word of the Father, and the Son of man, since He had a generation as to His human nature from Mary — who was descended from mankind, and who was herself a human being — was made the Son of man.

Eusebius

History of the Church II 23:12-13 -- 12. The aforesaid Scribes and Pharisees therefore placed James upon the pinnacle of the temple, and cried out to him and said: 'You just one, in whom we ought all to have confidence, forasmuch as the people are led astray after Jesus, the crucified one, declare to us, what is the gate of Jesus.' 13. And he (James) answered with a loud voice, 'Why do you ask me concerning Jesus, the Son of Man? He himself sits in heaven at the right hand of the great Power, and is about to come upon the clouds of heaven.'

Cyril of Alexandria (5th century)

  • Catechesis 10.4; cf. Augustine, Contra Faustum 12.44

He (i.e. Jesus) is called the Son of Man, not because He had His generation from this earth, but because He is coming on the clouds to judge both the living and the dead

Rabbinic sources

Once a man came to Rabbi Aqiba and asked him why Daniel 7:9 says in the plural, "As I looked, thrones were set in place". "One is for God", replied Aqiba, "and the other for David", that is, the Messiah. At that R. Josi rebuked him and said, "Aqiba, for how long will you grieve the spirit of God? No. Rather, one is reserved for Justice and the other for Righteousness."

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