Verse 20 The Son of man. The Savior very generally spoke of himself in this way; but commentators have found great difficulty in determining the import of the expression. The phrase is used in four different modes in the Scriptures. 1. It is often employed in the Psalms and other similar writings, meaning man generally, as in the passage, "Put not your trust in the son of man,"--and in many others. 2. It occurs frequently in the book of Ezekiel, as the mode by which the Divine Spirit addressed the prophet, when directing him in regard to his prophetic communications; as, "Thou, also, son of man, take thee a tile," &c. It is remarkable that this use of the expression is confined to the prophet Ezekiel. 3. It is used three times in prophetic writings as a mode of designating the Messiah. (Daniel 7:13; Revelation 1:13,14:14.) 4. It was the common expression used by our Savior when speaking of himself; but it is noticeable that no instance in which he was addressed or personally designated in this way, by any other individual, is on record. It is, on the whole, most probable that Jesus adopted the expression from its use in Daniel 7:13, as a mode of distinctly designating himself as the Messiah, and yet as one less likely than others to excite suddenly the public attention.