Son of Man / Son of God

Editor's Note: Scripture tells us that Jesus was both divine and human, emptying himeself of his divine glory and kingly rule to be born and live as a man. The Scriptures redound with affirmations of this dual nature, partly by designating the Messiah as both Son of Man as well as Son of God.  The term, Son of Man, is highly contextual as to its meaning. Sometimes it is used to refer to a specific human or to mankind in general in some instances, while in others, it specifically applies to Jesus and the Messiah, as exemplified below.  Similarly, there are references to "son(s) of God" to refer to humans created and called by God (e.g, referring to Adam as the Son of God in a genealogy in Lk 3:38). 

Son of Man

Dan. 7:13-14

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.And 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 one that shall not be destroyed.  Again, context helps determine the distinctions. 

Mt.

9:6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” [See also, Lk 5:24]

12:40 - For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

13:41 - The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers

16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. [c.f. Mark 8:27-29]

16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

17:9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

24:27, 30 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.... Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [c.f. Mk. 14:62]

25:3 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

26:64b - .... [T]he high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Luke 22:69

But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

John

3:13-14a No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up....

6:33 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

13:31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

Acts 7:56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Rev. 14:14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.

Son of God

Mt. 

8:29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

14: 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[e] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

26:62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”[i] 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  (See also, Lk. 22:70.) 

27:54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (See also, Mk. 15:39.)

Mark

1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

3:11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.”

Luke

1:35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

4:41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.