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Jesus's most-used self-designation — drawn from Daniel 7's heavenly figure who receives an everlasting kingdom.
'Son of Man' was Jesus's most-used self-designation — appearing 78 times in the Gospels and almost exclusively from Jesus's own lips. At first hearing, the title sounds like a statement of Jesus's humanity (and it includes that). But its primary source is Daniel 7:13-14, where Daniel sees in a vision 'one like the Son of Man' coming with the clouds of heaven and approaching 'the Ancient of Days' — God himself. To this 'Son of Man' is given 'dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away.' Jesus's choice of this title was strategic. Direct claims to be 'Messiah' or 'Son of God' could be immediately co-opted by political expectations or rejected as blasphemy. 'Son of Man' was ambiguous enough that Jesus could use it throughout his ministry without provoking immediate violence — while still claiming, for those with ears to hear, the most exalted role in Daniel's vision. At his trial, when the high priest demanded 'Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?' Jesus combined two Old Testament prophecies in his answer: 'I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven' (Mark 14:62). The first half quotes Psalm 110:1; the second half quotes Daniel 7:13. The high priest tore his clothes — there was no longer any ambiguity about what Jesus was claiming. The Son of Man title also covers Jesus's full mission. The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). The Son of Man would be lifted up like the bronze serpent (John 3:14). The Son of Man would be betrayed into the hands of men (Mark 9:31). The Son of Man would rise on the third day. And the Son of Man would return in glory to judge (Matthew 25:31).
“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven... And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom.”
The OT vision Jesus claims to fulfill
“I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus's answer at his trial — the high priest tore his clothes
“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.”
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”
Stephen's vision at his martyrdom
To call Jesus 'Son of Man' is to confess both his humanity and his cosmic authority. The title holds together truths the church has often separated: Christ shares your nature; Christ also reigns over all things. The Son of Man who had no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20) is the same Son of Man who comes on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30). You can come to him as one of your own kind; you must come to him as your sovereign Lord.
Jesus called himself the Son of Man because the title was strategically ambiguous — it included his humanity and his cosmic authority without immediately triggering political or religious controversy. The primary source is Daniel 7:13-14, where 'one like the Son of Man' receives an everlasting kingdom from God himself. By choosing this title above all others (78 times in the Gospels), Jesus claimed the exalted role of Daniel's vision while preserving space for his teaching ministry until his hour came.
In Daniel 7:13-14, 'Son of Man' refers to a heavenly figure who comes 'with the clouds of heaven' to the Ancient of Days (God) and receives 'dominion, and glory, and a kingdom' over all nations forever. The vision contrasts this human-like figure with the four beasts representing earthly empires — the Son of Man's kingdom is not earthly conquest but a divinely given, everlasting reign. Jesus identified himself as this figure (Mark 14:62, Matthew 24:30).
They are different titles but refer to the same person. 'Son of Man' emphasizes Christ's humanity and his role as the heavenly figure of Daniel 7. 'Son of God' emphasizes his divine nature and his unique relationship to the Father. The Gospels use both. At his trial, when asked if he was 'the Christ, the Son of the Blessed,' Jesus answered by quoting the Son of Man passage from Daniel 7 (Mark 14:62) — claiming both titles in one answer.