Finally, another title that Jesus used to refer to Himself is the Son of Man.
This was the preferred title that Jesus used to describe himself—more than 80 times. This appears several times in the Gospels and only once outside of them (Acts 7:56). The fact that this title appears primarily in the Gospels contributes to the authenticity of the verses where that title appears. Therefore, it helps to rule out the idea that this designation used by Jesus was added by the Church years after his death. Moreover, only Jesus used this title.
Jesus did not refer to himself simply as a son of man (Ezekiel 31:1), but as the Son of Man, in direct reference to the passage in Daniel 7:13-14. Jews of that time understood the vision of the Son of Man of Daniel as a divine-human figure. This was a Messianic title. And he believed in the coming of this figure / person as described in Daniel—Mark 8:38; 13:26-27; Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 12:8-9; Matthew 24:27, 37, 39; Luke 17:24, 26, 30. Jesus was attributing the prophecy of the Son of Man to himself!
A very interesting passage is found in Mark 14:60-64, which describes Jesus' trial:
"And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death." (Mr. 14:60-64, The New King James Version)
In this passage, at once, Jesus states that he is the Messiah (Khristós), the Son of God, and the expected Son of Man. Here, Jesus compounds His crimes further when He says He will sit at God's right hand—a terrible blasphemy to the Jews.
In conclusion, much more can be added to the fact that Jesus used these three title to refer to Himself: His actions are also important—His proclamation of the Kingdom of God; His authority (attributing Divine authority; exorcisms; using "Truly, I say unto you"; the fact the He forgave sins); His miracles; and his role as a judge (or arbitrator of people’s eternal destiny, Luke 12:8-9).
This was the preferred title that Jesus used to describe himself—more than 80 times. This appears several times in the Gospels and only once outside of them (Acts 7:56). The fact that this title appears primarily in the Gospels contributes to the authenticity of the verses where that title appears. Therefore, it helps to rule out the idea that this designation used by Jesus was added by the Church years after his death. Moreover, only Jesus used this title.
Jesus did not refer to himself simply as a son of man (Ezekiel 31:1), but as the Son of Man, in direct reference to the passage in Daniel 7:13-14. Jews of that time understood the vision of the Son of Man of Daniel as a divine-human figure. This was a Messianic title. And he believed in the coming of this figure / person as described in Daniel—Mark 8:38; 13:26-27; Matthew 10:32-33; Luke 12:8-9; Matthew 24:27, 37, 39; Luke 17:24, 26, 30. Jesus was attributing the prophecy of the Son of Man to himself!
A very interesting passage is found in Mark 14:60-64, which describes Jesus' trial:
"And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death." (Mr. 14:60-64, The New King James Version)
In this passage, at once, Jesus states that he is the Messiah (Khristós), the Son of God, and the expected Son of Man. Here, Jesus compounds His crimes further when He says He will sit at God's right hand—a terrible blasphemy to the Jews.
In conclusion, much more can be added to the fact that Jesus used these three title to refer to Himself: His actions are also important—His proclamation of the Kingdom of God; His authority (attributing Divine authority; exorcisms; using "Truly, I say unto you"; the fact the He forgave sins); His miracles; and his role as a judge (or arbitrator of people’s eternal destiny, Luke 12:8-9).