“And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” — John 1:51
If you grew up in church, you probably heard Yeshua called the “Son of God” often. But the title He actually used for Himself more than any other was “Son of Man.”
That wasn’t just humility. It was a declaration of His identity and authority, straight out of the Hebrew Scriptures.
1. The Title Comes from Daniel’s Vision
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom.” — Daniel 7:13–14
This Son of Man isn’t just a regular person. He comes with the clouds, language used in the Tanakh for divine appearances. He’s presented before God and given eternal dominion and authority over all nations.
When Yeshua calls Himself Son of Man, He’s pointing His audience straight to this prophecy.
2. “Son of Man” Wasn’t a Casual Nickname
Yeshua didn’t use this title to sound humble. He used it as a messianic claim. First-century Jews would have immediately connected His words with Daniel 7.
He was revealing His divine authority clearly and intentionally.
3. The Title Combines Humanity and Divinity
“Son of Man” emphasizes His humanity. But it also reveals His exalted, heavenly identity. This is the Messiah who suffers (Isaiah 53) and the Messiah who reigns (Daniel 7).
One title holds both the cross and the throne.
4. Yeshua Used It at Crucial Moments
When He forgave sins (Mark 2:10)
When He predicted His suffering (Mark 8:31)
When speaking of His return in glory (Matthew 24:30)
Every time He used “Son of Man,” He was revealing a different layer of His mission: suffering servant, heavenly judge, and reigning King.
5. The Religious Leaders Knew Exactly What He Meant
When Yeshua said, “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64), the high priest tore his robes.
Why? Because He was quoting Daniel 7, claiming that He was the One who would rule all nations. This was a direct, unmistakable claim to messianic authority.
6. The Humanity of Yeshua Matters
Many believers today lean heavily on the divinity of Yeshua, which is essential, but often overlook His humanity. God chose to step into Jewish flesh, into a real historical people, language, and covenant.
His humanity means He experienced hunger, thirst, pain, rejection, temptation, and joy. This makes His role as our High Priest real and personal. He didn’t redeem us from afar. He stepped into our world, fully human while remaining fully divine.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” — Hebrews 4:15
His divinity gives Him power to save. His humanity makes His salvation personal and accessible.
My Final Thoughts
“Son of Man” isn’t just a poetic title. It’s one of the clearest ways Yeshua revealed who He was, the prophesied figure of Daniel 7, both fully human and fully divine, the one who would suffer, rise, and reign forever.
God didn’t choose to redeem humanity from a distance. He wrapped Himself in Jewish flesh, entering history as one of us. To understand Yeshua fully, we must hold His humanity and His divinity together. One without the other leaves the story incomplete.
Study Questions
Read Daniel 7:13–14 and compare it with Matthew 26:64. How does Yeshua’s statement echo Daniel’s vision?
List the passages where Yeshua refers to Himself as the Son of Man (start with Matthew 8:20, Mark 2:10, John 1:51). What do these moments have in common?
In Mark 2:10, what authority does the Son of Man claim? How does this reveal both His humanity and divinity?
Cross-reference Daniel 7 with Revelation 1:12–18. What similarities do you see between the Son of Man and John’s vision of Yeshua?
Read Hebrews 4:14–16. What does this reveal about the importance of Yeshua’s humanity in His priestly role?
Reflection Questions
How does understanding the background of “Son of Man” deepen your view of Yeshua’s identity?
Why do you think Yeshua chose this title for Himself more than any other?
How might recognizing His humanity change the way you relate to Him in prayer and everyday faith?
How does holding both His divinity and humanity shape the way you understand salvation and covenant?
Where in your life do you most need to remember that the One who reigns in glory also walked in your shoes?
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I've been able to find valuable insight into scripture on this website. The information is thought provoking. One can readily see why Yeshua is known as a treasure, wisdom and knowledge of God. His ministry was revolutionary.
Amen. “Son of Man” carries such depth, showing both heaven’s reach and earth’s need. John 1:51 reveals more than a moment; it’s a bridge between God’s promise and His presence through Yeshua.