The expression 'Son of Man', used in the Gospels almost exclusively by Jesus, has been the object of intensive study since the Protestant Reformation, yet scholars have come to no agreement on its origin or meaning. Research in this area has been described as 'a veritable mine field' and 'a can of worms'. Because of the scope and complexity of the literature, no comprehensive survey of the subject has been written in the twentieth century. Delbert Burkett's book fills this need. It provides a comprehensive historical overview of the debate from the patristic period to 1996, and gives an evaluation of that research and a summation of the present state of the question. Burkett concludes that despite nineteen centuries of 'Son of Man' study there is no consensus concerning the meaning or origin of the expression; the debate is therefore a prime example of the limits of New Testament scholarship.

"Burkett has provided NT scholars with a much-needed synthesis and evaluation of the complex Son of Man debate. All readers, no matter which theory they espouse, will benefit from [Burkett's] thorough and balanced presentation." The Catholic Biblical Quarterly

"Burkett has given us just what we need at the moment...a comprehensive survey of what everyone has had to say...Burkett's book...offers us the best, most up-to-date, and most comprehensive review of the various views and disputations about the mysterious 'Son of Man'...this is a very informative book that lends needed perspective to current study. It is must reading for anyone working on the gospel tradition or early Christology." Journal of Biblical Literature