Son of Man
The concept of the “Son of Man” weaves through both history and art, finding its origins in apocalyptic visions. In early Jewish texts, particularly from the Qumran community, this figure looms large, a symbol of divine authority set to bring judgment. The imagery is as fluid as it is eternal, reinterpreted from Ethiopian iconography to Western Renaissance art. What emerges is a global tapestry, where the Son of Man embodies both messianic hope and shared humanity. These reinterpretations vary, from the regal Ethiopian Christ to the Samurai Christ of Japan, each culture clothing divinity in its own familiar garments.
In the West, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” shows Jesus as both human and cosmic, holding a globe, a symbol of reign and responsibility. But the “Son of Man” is not bound by canvas or creed; He transcends, rising like modern existential questions in figures such as Nietzsche’s Übermensch, although their roads diverge on the path of self-transcendence. Modern thinkers like Carl Jung interpret the Son of Man as the archetypal journey towards individuation, a divine reflection of human struggles toward wholeness.
From the ancient world, where Jewish apocalyptic visions promised redemption, to Ethiopian icons presenting Jesus as an African king, the figure has transcended borders. There's a clear interplay between human fragility and divine authority, from Dead Sea Scrolls to contemporary artistic reimaginations. Data could trace how depictions evolved from Rome to Japan, revealing the adaptability of this figure across centuries and continents, much like the ever-expansive concept of divinity.
In First-century Jewish texts, the “Son of Man” was seen as a messianic figure with divine authority. It reflects an apocalyptic vision of deliverance. Incorporate how Qumran texts (Dead Sea Scrolls) reference similar imagery.
Jewish literature, it initially referred to a mortal being. Yet in Daniel 7:13-14, this figure is divine, sharing in eternal glory. This shift in understanding marks a profound evolution in religious thought. Historical data shows that early Christian art from the 3rd century frequently depicted Christ as the “Son of Man” in a variety of roles—judge, shepherd, and ruler—solidifying its theological importance.
Though Jesus does not explicitly refer to the “Ancient of Days,” He identifies Himself as the Son of Man from Daniel’s prophecy—who is intimately connected to the Ancient of Days—and claims eternal, divine authority. In this way, Jesus affirms His place within the context of the Ancient of Days as the eternal sovereign ruler and judge, sharing in that divine identity.
Story of Jesus as the Son of Man:
The Gospels emphasize Jesus’ self-identification with this term. In Matthew 25:31, He says, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.” This reflects not only His divine role in judgment but also His humanity as someone who experienced suffering. This duality is a key feature in Christian theological discussions.
In John 8:58, Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was, I am.” This phrase directly echoes Exodus 3:14, where God identifies Himself as “I AM.” By using this phrase, Jesus is not merely claiming pre-existence before Abraham but is identifying Himself with God’s eternal being. This aligns with the “Ancient of Days” as the eternal One, beyond time and space, who has no beginning or end.
Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of Man over 80 times in the Gospels, more than any other title.
His use of this title is multifaceted and rich with meaning. While it draws from Daniel’s prophecy, Jesus expands and reinterprets it in three key ways:
a. Identification with Humanity:
The phrase “Son of Man” can also simply mean “human being” or “one who is a man.” In Hebrew and Aramaic, it’s a way of saying “mortal” or “one of us.” By using this title, Jesus emphasizes His full humanity. He is identifying with the human condition, with its weaknesses, temptations, and mortality. This is crucial in understanding Jesus as both fully God and fully human, which allows Him to be a mediator between God and humanity.
b. Suffering and Death:
Jesus often uses the title Son of Man when speaking about His suffering and death. For instance, in Mark 10:45, He says:
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Here, the Son of Man is not a figure of glory but one of suffering and sacrifice. This is a major shift from the traditional Jewish expectation of the Son of Man as a purely triumphant and victorious figure. Jesus teaches that His path to glory involves humiliation, suffering, and crucifixion—a profound aspect of His mission.
c. Future Glory and Judgment:
In other instances, Jesus connects the Son of Man to the eschatological (end-times) figure from Daniel’s vision. He speaks of the Son of Man coming in power and glory to judge the world. In Matthew 24:30, He says:
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”
This links directly to Daniel 7:13, where the Son of Man comes “with the clouds of heaven.” Jesus claims this divine role of future judge, indicating that He will return to establish God’s eternal kingdom.
the same chapter of Daniel, where the Ancient of Days is mentioned, another key figure appears: the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14), who is given authority, glory, and sovereign power by the Ancient of Days. This figure receives worship and an everlasting kingdom.
“Son of Man” reaches back to Daniel 7:13-14, where the prophet Daniel has a vision:
“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 approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
this vision, the “Son of Man” is a heavenly figure, distinct yet connected to the Ancient of Days (God). He is given eternal dominion and worship, which are divine prerogatives. This passage portrays the Son of Man as a Messianic figure who ushers in God’s eternal kingdom.
Jesus frequently refers to Himself as the Son of Man (e.g., Mark 14:61-62), and His use of this title draws directly from Daniel’s vision. Jesus identifies Himself as the One who will come with the authority of the Ancient of Days, receiving eternal dominion. Therefore, while He doesn’t directly use the phrase, Jesus places Himself in the context of Daniel’s prophecy, essentially tying Himself to the authority and eternal nature of the Ancient of Days.
The title “Ancient of Days” appears in the Old Testament, specifically in Daniel 7. This term is used to describe a vision of God in His eternal, sovereign rule over all creation. The Ancient of Days is depicted as presiding over a divine court, exercising judgment over the nations, and establishing His everlasting kingdom.
The Ancient of Days represents timelessness. St. Augustine argued that God, as the Ancient of Days, exists outside of time, which modern cosmology mirrors in discussions of spacetime. Theologians link this to the eternity of divine judgment, emphasizing God’s sovereignty over history and human affairs.
In various Jewish Midrash writings, the Ancient of Days is seen as present in both the creation of the world and its final judgment. This concept of eternal rulership echoes in stories of saints and mystics across centuries. In the life of early church father Origen, he wrote about mystical experiences where he perceived God as the Ancient of Days—old and wise, yet beyond time, influencing his lifelong theological pursuits
The “Ancient of Days” is explicitly mentioned three times in Daniel 7 (verses 9, 13, 22), where God is portrayed as the eternal judge. Scholars often debate the imagery—His white hair and garments symbolize wisdom and purity, correlating with iconography from various ancient traditions. Comparative studies of ancient Babylonian and Jewish literature show how depictions of divine judgment evolved alongside theological shifts in post-exilic Judaism.
While Jesus never directly uses the term “Ancient of Days” in the Gospels, His teachings and self-revelation connect deeply with the concept of God as eternal and sovereign.
