When Jesus asked His disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” they answered that “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets” (16:13–14).
The people were altogether confused by the Person of Jesus.
Those from His hometown wondered, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” (13:55–56).
Others asked Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us openly” (John 10:24). .webp)
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At the interrogation before the Sanhedrin, the rulers demanded, “If You are the Christ, tell us” (Luke 22:67).
Similarly, Pilate questioned Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” (Matt 27:11; Mark 15:2).
Though seeing the power of God in Jesus, the people refused to acknowledge Jesus as the promised Messiah (cf. Matt 13:57; John 10:25; Luke 22:67).
Jesus, however, underscored the eternal significance of recognizing and acknowledging Him as the Son of God. He declared that He is the focus of all of Scripture: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that bear witness about Me” (John 5:39).
In John 14:6, He proclaimed that salvation is found in Him alone, saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” (cf. John 3:18; Rom 10:9).
For this reason, Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question was of utmost importance. Peter exclaimed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16).
Scholars have wrestled with the concept of “Son of Man.”
Scholars have wrestled with the concept of “Son of Man.”
Ehrman has argued that this title depicts Jesus as a legendary figure, a historical individual that His followers embellished later.
Ehrman contends that while Jesus simply used the phrase as an apocalyptic prophet (cf. Ezek 2:1), His disciples later utilized it to argue for His divinity.
Quarles rightly counters that because Jesus claimed to be the Son of Man, recognized His messiahship, and declared His divinity, the title Son of Man was not imbued with divine reference later on but intended to be as such from the beginning."
ICR
