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Son of Man – John 5:27

The Gospel of John Bible Study Notes

Jesus used both terms: “Son of God” and “Son of Man”, many times to refer to himself.  Jesus is the unique Son of God, a title which highlights his divinity.  However “Son of God” was also a provocative political term in New Testament times, as many Roman Emperors referred to themselves as the “Son of God”.

Jesus referred to himself mostly as “the Son of Man”.[1]   This title highlights the fact that Jesus is a human being.[2]  Jesus is the fullness of deity in bodily, human form (Col 2:9).  For the Jews, the term “Son of Man” was even more significant than “Son of God” becasue of its Messianic and divine implications.

While the phrase “Son of Man” is found only once in Old Testament scripture,[3] it was used repeatedly in several of the Jewish intertestamental writings.[4]  At this time the Jews were anticipating the imminent appearance of their Messiah and in many of the writings of that period, the theme of the coming Messiah was greatly elaborated on.  In the Book of Enoch,[5] for instance, the term “Son of Man” is used many times and unmistakably refers to the coming Messiah.  These intertestamental writings deeply influenced the religious thought of the Jews.  One of the roles of the Son of Man is to make Judgement at the end of the age (John 5:27-30).

Both terms used by Jesus: “Son of God” and “Son of Man”, would have been readily understood by the Jews as clearly referring to the Chosen One – the Messiah.  Jesus really made it very plain to the Jews, using their own concepts and terms and ways of reasoning, that he was their Messiah, and his hope was that they would put their faith in him and be saved (John 5:34).  Sadly, many refused to be persuaded.

[1] “Son of Man” is used 81 times in the Gospels, always and only referring to Jesus Christ.

[2] The Greek word for “man” in the expression “Son of Man” is anthropos which means human being.  Jesus is both divine and human which makes him the perfect mediator between God and all people.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and humans, the human Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

[3] The phrase “Son of Man” appears once in the Old Testament, in the book of Daniel.  In Daniel chapter seven, Daniel has a vision about four coming kingdoms, each being represented by a different wild animal: a lion, a bear, a leopard and a “terrifying beast”.  These kingdoms were characterised by violence. Then, in verse 13, Daniel goes on to say, “In my vision at night I looked and there before me was one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven…he was given authority, glory and sovereign power. . . men of every nation worshipped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” This kingdom will be different to the others.  It will not be terrifying.  This Kingdom will be humane, just and eternal.  And the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever (Daniel 7:18).[2] This is the kingdom that the Messiah will inaugurate and rule – the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

[4] Intertestamental literature includes Jewish religious books that were written between the time the last books of the Old Testament were written and the first books of the New Testament were written.

[5] The Book of Enoch is on the net;  as are many other interesting, ancient, religious writings.  Some of these are worth reading for the perspective it gives on the culture of the people the Holy Scriptures were originally addressed to.  It also gives you a real appreciation for the authenticity and inspired nature of the true Scriptures that make up the Bible.  The Book of Enoch is available here.

Tags: Book of Enoch, Christology, Daniel, intertestimental writings, mediator, Son of God, Son of Man

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pm and is filed under Bible Study Notes, Christian Theology, Christology, The Gospel of John: chapter 1-10. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.