‘Who Is This Son of Man?’: The Latest Scholarship on a Puzzling Expression of the Historical Jesus (Library of New Testament Studies | LNTS)
Overview
This text brings together modern scholarship on the meaning of the expression “son of man.” The interpretation of the Greek phrase and its Aramaic origins dramatically changes its effect in Scripture. Is it a generic expression about human beings, or did it carry the weight of a Christological title like son of God, Christ, Messiah, and son of David? ‘Who Is This Son of Man?’ explores the possible meanings with experts in Aramiac, historical Jesus studies, the son of man debate, and related fields of research.
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Key Features
- Provides fresh perspectives on the historical Jesus
- Presents multiple angles to explore the knowledge and humanity of Jesus
- Explores modern scholarship on the meaning of the expression “son of man”
Top Highlights
“In sum, for John, the lifting up is not specifically the crucifixion, but it includes it. Lifting up occurs through the crucifixion, but it is not completed until after his resurrection.39 There is a physical and metaphorical meaning of ὑψόω, but, in John, the metaphorical meaning is stronger.” (Page 110)
“it is by all accounts the ‘title’ for Jesus with the most convincing credentials of authenticity. Nearly” (Page vii)
“Dan. 7:13–14, and I have indicated why this seems to me unlikely. I propose, instead, that the expression simply reflected Jesus’ sense that he had a particular, even unique, vocation in God’s redemptive purposes. That is, I suggest that Jesus saw himself as having a special role and mission, and that he used the expression for ‘the son of man’ self-referentially to express this conviction. It did not indicate what that mission was, and did not lay claim to any office or previously defined status. Instead, ‘the son of man’ functioned to express his sense of being chosen for a special purpose before God.” (Page 175)
“The Son of Man’s ascent and descent have been understood to be the key to understanding the Johannine portrait of this figure.24 This view arises most likely because of the uniqueness of this theme for John. At the same time, the ascent/descent language appears only in 1:51; 3:13; and 6:62.25 But 1:51 refers to the movement of angels and not the Son of Man, and in 6:62, only ‘ascent’ is mentioned (no ‘descent’). Further, 6:62 is a hypothetical (‘if’) statement. So, although the theme of the Son of Man’s ascent and descent is unique to John, it must be kept in perspective.” (Pages 106–107)
Praise for the Print Edition
. . . the scope and focus of the book are such that it will be useful to advanced students and academics in their field. . . The book is recommended for the advanced readers who are interested in the ‘son of man’ expression and who wish to know more about the competing hypotheses put forth concerning the expression.
—Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses
From the myriad works on the son of man, this collection stands out as one of the most important. A must read for anyone engaged in research related to the historical Jesus, Christology, or early Christianity. Its editors are to be congratulated for such stimulating essays.
—Journal of Evangelical Theological Society
- Title: ‘Who Is This Son of Man?’: The Latest Scholarship on a Puzzling Expression of the Historical Jesus
- Authors: Larry Hurtado, Paul Owen
- Series: Library of New Testament Studies
- Volume: 390
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 208
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. Gospels › Terminology; Son of Man
- ISBNs: 9780567521194, 0567521192
- Resource ID: LLS:WHSTHSSNMN
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T21:07:47Z
About the Editors
Larry W. Hurtado is a professor of New Testament language, literature, and theology at the University of Edinburgh. He is a co-editor of Jesus Among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, The Dead Sea Scrolls in Their Historical Context, and the author of Text-Critical Methodology and the Pre-Caesarean Text: Codex W in the Gospel of Mark.
Paul L. Owen is the chair and associate professor of biblical and religious studies at Montreat College in North Carolina. He is a co-author of The New Mormon Challenge.