0788. The Meaning of the Expression "Son of Man"

The Meaning of the Expression "Son of Man"

"And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Luk_15:2).

The Greek word translated "Son" in the expression "Son" of Man is not always used to designate the thought of being born of man. The word frequently carries with it no more than the thought of being "aligned to," or, "identified with." The same Greek word is used in the following passages:–

Sons of the Kingdom (see Mat_13:38).

Sons of the Bridechamber (see Mar_2:19).

Son of Thunder (see Mar_3:17).

Sons of this World (see Luk_16:8).

Sons of Disobedience (see Eph_2:2).

Sons of Day, of Light (1Th_5:5).

The word is sometimes translated children, but the Greek is the same. Of course, the sons of the Kingdom, or the son of thunder, does not mean that the sons were born of the Kingdom, or born of thunder. No more does the expression "Son of Man" mean that Jesus Christ was born of Joseph. However Jesus Christ was born of Mary and of the Holy Ghost; He was made in all points like His brethren; He was "God manifest in flesh" and thus shows that He was identified with the human race, and is therefore, called the Son of Man.

Jesus Christ was very God of very God, because He was God from all eternity, God incarnate, God in flesh. Jesus Christ was Son of Man because He became flesh and wrought in behalf of man as the Saviour of man.

Our key verse describes the Lord sitting with the publicans and sinners and eating with them. The Pharisees strenuously objected to and criticised this act. Christ used the occasion of their bitter thrusts to present a wonderful threefold parable about the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son. In all of this Christ is justifying His position as Son of Man and showing that He became flesh that He might seek and save the lost.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR