Son of Man

Son of Man

1. Introduction

   • Knight claims that the history of this title had led to it being disputed in scholarly literature and has also led to confusin
   • Bock states that Son of Man is one of the most complex issues in the New Testament
   • O'Toole believes that, "the historical origins of this title can prove useful in determining its significance
   • Green conveys that this title differs from others and this gives Jesus 'self-identification.'
   • This title is used 26 times in Luke, 25 of which are spoken by Jesus, and this emphasises his humanity
   • In Luke's Gospel; it is less of a title and more of a technical term as it is ambigeous

2. Origin

   • O'Toole explains that the historical origins of the title can prove useful in determining its significance
   • McGrath links this title back to the Old Testament and he does this in three ways
   • The first way is a specific form of address to the prophet Ezekiel
   • The second refers to a future eschatological figure (seen in the book of Daniel) whose coming signals the end of history and the coming of divine judgement
   • The final way McGrath links this title to the Old Testament is in the book of Numbers and this shows the contrast between lowliness and frailty of human nature

3. Book of Daniel

   • Harrington exclaims that this title is an 'explicit' reference to the exalted heavenly figure in the book of Daniel
   • In the book of Daniel, he also refers to someone as the Son of Man who will come to judge the world which parallels with the other gospels that refer to a future being who will become an eschatological figure
   • McGrath also shows a contrast in this title and how it was used for Jesus
   • He argues that referring to Jesus in this way stresses the continuity between the humble figure of Jesus during the time of his ministry and the future judge who will come at the end
   • The Nicene Creed claims that Jesus will come in glory and judge all people
   • This emphasises Jesus' authority that has the divine right to judge and it echoes the New Testament understanding of Jesus as the coming judge

4. Suffering servant

   • Jesus is seen clearly as a 'suffering servant' and is heavily represented in Isaiah 53.
   • Green accentuates that the Son of Man is developed further by Luke in terms of the rejection and death followed by vindication
   • It has been seen as Luke developed his earthly ministry and discipleship as he encouraged them to be servants for all
   • It is important to note that there was links between the title Son of Man and Messiah
   • Knight identified that, 'Son of Man coheres with and contrasts with messiah in Luke's Gospel'
   • Jesus claimed that he will be the messiah after the resurrection and the Son of Man before
   • This was to show his humanity while he was still alive
   • Knight believes that the Son of Man doesn't deny that he is the messiah, before they resurrect him
   • This is a feature of Luke that Jesus avoids 'Christ' until the Road to Emmaus and this explains why Son of Man is used so often
   • From Jesus' teachings, we can conclude that, as a suffering servant, Jesus is both the Son of Man and also the Messiah

5. Usage in Luke's Gospel

   • Conzelmann claims that the use of this title in Luke's Gospel is dependent on how much Mark used it
   • Luke identifies Jesus as the Son of Man who will be delivered into the hands of 'men' and Gentiles - universalism
   • In the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus becomes a model for the suffering and persecution that his disciples will face
   • Richard claims that this theme is amplified in Luke's portrayal of Jesus as the suffering servant
   • The usage of this title in Luke's Gospel can be presented in three ways; 1) earthly Son of Man 2) Suffering Son of Man 3) Eschatological Son of Man

6. Earthly Son of Man

   • The first recorded use of this title is used in the parable of the man with a paralysed hand
   • This is when Jesus the Son of Man is able to "forgive sins" which shows his authority
   • The earthly Son of Man is seen at 9:58 and this is in the cost of following Jesus as t states, "but the Son of Man has nowhere to lie down and rest"
   • This relates to the theme of discipleship
   • Finally, in 22:48 which is the arrest of Jesus, it states that, "would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"

7. Suffering Son of Man

   • Luke shows Jesus' identity as Son of Man who suffers
   • Cooper states this "fused an idea of Son of Man from Daniel with Son of Man from Isaiah 53."
   • For example, in 9:22, Jesus speaks about how the Son of Man must be rejected, suffer and die then rise again
   • In 9:44, Jesus talks about his death as he portrays, "the Son of Man is going to be handed over to the power of human beings"
   • Green claims that Jesus was rejected and his death is followed by vindication

8. Eschatological Son of Man

   • An eschatological Son of Man was used to prove the future parousia
   • This relates to Conzelmann's idea that Luke relied heavily on Mark's use of the title
   • In 9:22, Jesus claims that the Son of Man will come in his glory and this shows eschatological undertones
   • In 17:30, it reveals the coming of the Kingdom of God and it also reveals the Son of Man
   • The eschatological Son of Man can be seen in 21:27 which states, "the Son of Man will come on the clouds of heaven" and this reinforces Jesus as an eschatological figure

9. Conclusion

   • The usage of this title is valuable to both Luke and to show Jesus' identity
   • Jesus' main reason for using this title was to show his humanity and to prove he was a suffering servant
   • He didn't want to cause any misunderstanding like the title of messiah as he didn't want to be viewed as a political warrior
   • The title Son of Man was used to prove the parousia was a future reality rather than imminent
   • It was also to ensure that his mission doesn't end prematurely