Son of Man
Quick Summary
In Christianity, the term "Son of Man" has a dual meaning. Primarily, it refers to a human being. However, it also denotes a significant figure in Christian eschatology: God's messiah destined to preside over the final judgment of humankind.1
Jesus himself is depicted as anticipating the arrival of a heavenly figure called the "Son of Man," who would come on clouds of glory to gather the elect. This concept draws from the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Book of Daniel, which describes a figure ascending to God to receive dominion and kingship. While Jesus used the term "Son of Man" to refer to himself as a human being, his followers later interpreted the heavenly Son of Man as the risen Jesus. The title "Son of Man" was prominent in the Gospels but less so in later Christian writings, as some preferred "Son of God" to emphasize Jesus' divine nature.23
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- Kingdom of God
…endowed, intermediary (the Messiah or Son of Man), whose functions would include a judgment to decide who was worthy to “inherit the Kingdom,” an expression which emphasizes that the Kingdom was thought of as a divine gift, not a human achievement.
Read More…endowed, intermediary (the Messiah or Son of Man), whose functions would include a judgment to decide who was worthy to “inherit the Kingdom,” an expression which emphasizes that the Kingdom was thought of as a divine gift, not a human achievement.
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eschatologyThe New Testament period, the "Son of Man"). Believing in his Resurrection after the Crucifixion, however, his early followers felt that the term messiah best expressed the role and function that they attributed to their master and "Lord" (Greek kyrios). In due course the title ("Jesus, the Christ") became synonymous…
Read More, the "Son of Man"). Believing in his Resurrection after the Crucifixion, however, his early followers felt that the term messiah best expressed the role and function that they attributed to their master and "Lord" (Greek kyrios). In due course the title ("Jesus, the Christ") became synonymous…
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ChristianityThe relation of the early church to the career and intentions of Jesus…own enigmatic self-designation was “Son of Man,” sometimes in allusion to his suffering, sometimes to his future role as judge. This title is derived from the version of the Book of Daniel (7:13), where “one like a son of man,” contrasted with beast figures, represents the humiliated people of…
Read More…own enigmatic self-designation was “Son of Man,” sometimes in allusion to his suffering, sometimes to his future role as judge. This title is derived from the version of the Book of Daniel (7:13), where “one like a son of man,” contrasted with beast figures, represents the humiliated people of…
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- ChristianityMessianic views
…the promise of the heavenly Son of Man, as it was articulated in the apocryphal First Book of Enoch. Instead, he gave that expectation of the Son of Man an entirely new interpretation. Pious Jewish circles, such as the Enoch community and other pietist groups, expected in the coming Son…
Read More…the promise of the heavenly Son of Man, as it was articulated in the apocryphal First Book of Enoch. Instead, he gave that expectation of the Son of Man an entirely new interpretation. Pious Jewish circles, such as the Enoch community and other pietist groups, expected in the coming Son…
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JesusThe kingdom of God…figure whom he called “the Son of Man,” who would come on clouds of glory and gather the elect. The Hebrew Bible laid the foundation for this teaching in two ways. First, several prophets expected “the day of the Lord,” when the wicked would be punished or destroyed and the…
Read More…figure whom he called “the Son of Man,” who would come on clouds of glory and gather the elect. The Hebrew Bible laid the foundation for this teaching in two ways. First, several prophets expected “the day of the Lord,” when the wicked would be punished or destroyed and the…
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