Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Luke

Luke 
Day 
Day 119

Luke 9: 51-62 (Cf. Luke 5:24; 6:5; 7:34; 9:22, 44, 56, 58) "ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE "THE SON OF MAN" Luke 9:56"

Day 119 – Luke 9

Text: Luke 9: 51-62 (Cf. Luke 5:24; 6:5; 7:34; 9:22, 44, 56, 58)

ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE “THE SON OF MAN” Luke 9:56

The Lord Jesus Christ used this phrase to describe Himself a number of times. What was the significance of this term of reference? Let’s take a look at this phrase as it appeared in the Gospel of Luke.

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…”
Luke 5:24

This was the first instance where the Lord Jesus used this phrase to refer to Himself. Who was this Person who could offer healing? How did He see Himself? How did he present Himself?

The Lord Jesus could have just healed the paralytic with a word. However, it was obvious that the crowd that sat around did not recognize who He was, and so He sought to introduce Himself. He chose the phrase, “Son of Man”.

Ordinarily, this term, “Son of Man” simply means “Man”. For example in the Book of Ezekiel, the phrase, “Son of Man” was a favourite term that God used to address Ezekiel, an Old Testament prophet… “Son of man…” (Ezekiel 2:1, 3, 6, 8; 3:1, 3, 4, 10 etc).

In the context of God’s use of this phrase, He was emphasizing the fact that Ezekiel was but human… the son of a man.

Obviously, this phrase had far greater significance when Jesus used it with reference to Himself. The term, “Son of Man” was also used in the Book of Daniel. In Daniel 7, a special vision was given to Daniel. He wrote,

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.

Then to Him was 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,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:13-14

The term “Son of Man” was an eschatological term that those who were well-read in the Scriptures would recognize as a Messianic term! Thus when Jesus used the term, “Son of Man” , and then went on to speak of forgiveness of sins, and proceeded also to heal the paralytic, He was in fact revealing Himself as the eschatological Messiah!

ESCHATOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

“The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:5

The word “eschatological” is used in theological language to refer to “the last days/things”. The concept of an eschatological Messiah is thus a reference to the fact that when the Messiah appeared, He would bring about “the last days”.

This phrase was then a cryptic reference to the Person and Mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. To those who knew the Scriptures well, they would have understood the significance the Lord Jesus gave to this phrase.

How about those who did not fully understand? Much depends on whether they were intrigued enough to seek an explanation as to why Jesus used this term with reference to Himself again and again. If they were to seriously inquire, then they would become His Disciples (not necessarily among The Twelve).

The eschatological Messiah described in Daniel’s night visions was indeed seen as “Lord”. To Him was given an everlasting kingdom! To Him was given honour and glory! The Lord Jesus was that Messiah prophesied in the Scriptures. He had full power and authority! He was Lord ALSO of the Sabbath!

THE SON OF MAN – REJECTED

The phrase, “Son of Man”, was obviously not understood by the crowds. The Pharisees (Luke 7:30) were singled out for mention in Luke 7. Simon the Pharisee was a typical example of how the Pharisees generally regarded Jesus.

The Lord Jesus was fully aware of how He was regarded,

“The Son of Man has come
eating and drinking,
and you say (“conclude”),
‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber,
A friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ “
Luke 7:34

Simon’s attitude was typical of the average Pharisee,

“This man,
if He were a prophet…”
Luke 7:39

The “Son of Man” was a phrase with great eschatological significance! On the other hand, this term was also used to describe the Lord Jesus in His Full Humanity. Those who could not see Him and recognize Him as the Messiah of Daniel 7, would only see Him as a mere man! They would only be able to see Him and judge Him superficially.

Only Wisdom’s children would be able to recognize and understand who Jesus really was,

“But wisdom is justified by all her children.” Luke 7:35

Are you one of Wisdom’s children? Can you recognize who Jesus is?