Son of Man
Messianic self-designation title
Son of Man is a phrase from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament with layered meanings.
In the Old Testament, it often simply means a human being—God addresses the prophet Ezekiel as "son of man" dozens of times.
In the Gospels, Jesus uses it as his preferred self-designation, drawing on the apocalyptic figure in Daniel who comes "with the clouds of heaven." The phrase thus carries both humility (mere mortal) and divine authority (heavenly judge), and scholars debate which sense Jesus emphasized.
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.
Prophesied divine deliverer
- JesusChristian faith's divine son
- ChristThe anointed savior
- GospelChristian salvation teaching
- DanielHebrew prophet's name
Ezekiel · New Testament · apostle · disciple · Galilee · parable · salvation · redemption
Quality given bodily presence
- divinitySacred nature or nougat-like sweet
- humanityPeople as a whole
- ChristologyDoctrine of the Messiah's nature
- eschatologyStudy of ultimate destiny
atonement · doctrine · Trinity · mediator · intercessor · Emmanuel · theophany · covenant
State of eventual death
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
- weepingShedding tears audibly
hunger · fatigue · compassion · empathy · identification · solidarity · vulnerability · flesh
Ability to see
- apocalypseTotal civilizational collapse
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
dominion · glory · coming · fulfillment · end times · tribulation · millennial
Belgian surrealist painter
- surrealismIrrational, dreamlike aesthetic
- bowler hatStiff felt dome cap
- appleCrisp tree fruit
- facelessLacking identity or features
canvas · painting · gallery · masterpiece · exhibition · symbolism · enigma · identity
Messiah
Prophesied divine deliverer
Daniel · Ezekiel · New Testament · apostle · disciple · Galilee · parable · salvation · redemption · crucifixion
incarnation
Quality given bodily presence
- divinitySacred nature or nougat-like sweet
- humanityPeople as a whole
- ChristologyDoctrine of the Messiah's nature
eschatology · atonement · doctrine · Trinity · mediator · intercessor · Emmanuel · theophany · covenant · grace
mortality
State of eventual death
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
weeping · hunger · fatigue · compassion · empathy · identification · solidarity · vulnerability · flesh · earthly
vision
Ability to see
- apocalypseTotal civilizational collapse
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- throneCeremonial chair for sovereigns
judgment · dominion · glory · coming · fulfillment · end times · tribulation · millennial
Magritte
Belgian surrealist painter
- surrealismIrrational, dreamlike aesthetic
- bowler hatStiff felt dome cap
- appleCrisp tree fruit
faceless · canvas · painting · gallery · masterpiece · exhibition · symbolism · enigma · identity · modern art
- MasterpiecesMona Lisa, Last Supper, Starry Night, The Scream, David
- Belgian ArtMagritte, Rubens, Van Eyck, Bruegel, Ghent Altarpiece
- Bible visionswheels within wheels, valley of dry bones, valley of bones, dry bones, burning bush
- GospelsJesus, gospels, Jesus Christ, apostles, Gospel of Mark
- Book of EnochEnoch, fallen angels, Nephilim, giants, Dead Sea Scrolls
- ChristologyChristology, Jesus, incarnation, Jesus Christ, Christ