The Son of Man in Mark’s Gospel: Exploring its Possible Connections with the Book of Ezekiel

by David Forrest Mitchell

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2020

Overview

Many scholars disagree about what was meant by Jesus’s intriguing self-designation ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (the Son of Man). This book attempts to find some clarity by working through every example of the phrase in the Gospel of Mark to determine how the phrase functions and what it means in that narrative. While every use of the phrase is self-referential and describes Jesus and his ministry, the analysis yields three main distinctions in use of the phrase as well as three significant unifying features. The book then moves to explore whether, despite of the skepticism of some scholars, there is some background for the phrase in the book of Ezekiel’s use of בֶּן־אָדָם (son of man) in relation to basic form and function and to thematic import.

Praise for The Son of Man in Mark’s Gospel

“Is there anything left to say on the subject of the Son of Man that hasn’t been said already—and is worth saying? This valuable study by David Mitchell shows that there is! By examining the use of ‘Son of Man’ in Mark’s Gospel and the book of Ezekiel, he demonstrates that there are enough links between them to suggest that Ezekiel played some role in Jesus’s choice of this self-designation.”

—Allan Chapple, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Trinity Theological College



“Mitchell’s volume cuts through the complexity surrounding ‘the Son of Man.’ It offers a rich understanding of Jesus’s role within Mark and develops the biblical-theological significance of ‘Son of Man’ language. This book is short, carefully argued, full of good exegesis, and will be on the reading list for my Christology course.”

—Philip H. Kern, Head of New Testament, Moore Theological College

Product Details

• Title: The Son of Man in Mark’s Gospel: Exploring its Possible Connections with the Book of Ezekiel
• Author: David Forrest Mitchell
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781725256590, 1725256592
• Resource ID: LLS:9781725256590
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-23T08:48:27Z

About the Author

David Mitchell wrote this book while serving as senior minister at Dongara Anglican Church in Western Australia and its content was the thesis for a master’s of theology completed through Trinity Theological College in Perth. He now works with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students heading up a team at Curtin University. He’s married to Traci and they have three children.