The “Son of Man” is a term often used in the gospels that refers to Jesus, specifically Jesus as a human being. In Daniel 7:13-14, the first time that this phrase is used, it is used as a messianic title. These verses in Daniel speak of how God was given all power and authority. He had a role of sovereignty over all people. When this phrase is used, Jesus is referring to himself as the Son of Man, and placing the prophecy upon Himself. It says that Jesus is “coming with the clouds of heaven,” which is foretelling to when Jesus will come back to Earth at the end of history. By saying that the Son of Man will be coming with the clouds of heaven, it is saying that when Jesus comes back, as fully human, He will bring with Him His angels to bring glory to all the land.

In the book of Enoch, Jesus chose to be called “Son of Man” to start off His ministry. This name recognizes Him as His pre-existence before the world was created, as well as foretelling what will happen with Jesus in the future. When this phrase is used in Enoch, it is mainly claiming Jesus to be fully human. In Enoch there are several times when Jesus refers to Ezekial as “Son of Man”, which is really Jesus calling him a human.

If I was a Jew living in the first century I would first of all be very confused. I would be confused with why Jesus was saying that the Son of Man would undergo great suffering and be rejected and killed. I would wonder why, if Jesus was who He claimed to be, would He have to be tortured and killed if He was almighty. I would question Jesus about this just as Paul did in Mk 13. After Paul rebukes Jesus when Jesus tells him the foretelling in this passage, Jesus says to His disciples, “…if any want to become my followers let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”(Mk 8:34). Jesus is basically saying here how to be a disciple and follow after Him. He is saying that one must deny themselves and defend God.

I would also be hopeful with who the Son of Man is made out to be and if the Son of Man really is Jesus like he states in Mk 14:62. I would have hope that there is a messiah. There are many times when Jesus foretold about future events and then they end up happening. If I knew that this was happening, it would be hard for me not to believe that Jesus is who He says He is.

All together, when the Son of Man is referred to in these passages, it is signifying that Jesus is the Messiah as well as fully human. It is difficult to think about what I would have thought about Jesus in the first century because of what I believe about Him today, but after solely reading these passages from a historical view I was able to gain a new perspective. I was able to secure insight on who the Son of Man is as well as the Messiah is in greater detail.