English rendering of Hebrew ben-adam (Ezekiel 2:1) and Aramaic bar enasha (Daniel 7:13). In the OT "son of man" normally denotes mere humanity — mortal, weak, dependent. But in Daniel 7:13-14 a singular "one like a son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven, is brought before the Ancient of Days, and receives an everlasting kingdom. Jesus takes this figure as His self-designation — over 80 times in the Gospels — merging humble solidarity with Adam and cosmic Danielic authority in a single title.
Son of Man was Jesus' preferred self-reference. He used it to speak of three things at once: His true humanity ("the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head"), His suffering ("the Son of Man must suffer many things"), and His glory ("you will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven"). It is the only christological title Jesus consistently applies to Himself in the Gospels — safer than "Messiah" in a politicized climate, yet carrying the full weight of Daniel 7 for those with ears to hear. Stephen sees Him standing as Son of Man at God's right hand (Acts 7:56); John sees Him walking among the lampstands as "one like a son of man" (Revelation 1:13). The title ties Jesus to Adam (federal head of humanity) and to Daniel's heavenly judge. He is the true man and the coming King.