υἱός (uhios)
uhios
son
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 348 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word huios primarily means "son," referring to male offspring in a literal sense. It appears 348 times in the New Testament, frequently translating the Hebrew ben in the Septuagint. Beyond biological descent, it denotes descendants or members of a group, such as when Jesus is identified as the son of David (Matthew 22:42) or believers are called sons of God (Luke 20:36).
A distinctive feature of huios is its use in metaphorical phrases to describe character or affiliation. The sources highlight constructions like "sons of light" (Luke 16:8) or "sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2), where the term signifies sharing the nature of what follows. This usage, rooted in Semitic thought, allows the word to convey spiritual identity rather than just physical lineage.
The title "Son of Man," applied extensively by Jesus, carries connotations of humanity and mortality while also pointing to a heavenly figure in Daniel 7:13. Christ preferred this humble designation over royal titles to avoid fostering expectations of an earthly political Messiah. It identifies him as the representative head of the human family, bridging divine authority with human experience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word huios carries a weight far heavier than simple biology. In the New Testament, it marks identity and relationship. When Jesus calls himself the Son of Man, he claims our humanity while holding divine authority. This title bridges the gap between heaven and earth, showing that God understands human weakness because He lived it.
For believers, this term invites us into a new family. We are not merely observers but children of God, adopted through faith. This status brings security and purpose. It means our value does not depend on performance but on belonging to the Father who loves us deeply.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 348 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Son196×
- sons62×
- son59×
- a son9×
- [the] Son8×
- [the] son6×
- the Son5×
- a son.3×
- a son,3×
- Son,3×
- sons.2×
- son,2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- υἱὸς133×
- υἱὸν66×
- υἱοῦ37×
- υἱοὶ26×
- υἱός21×
- υἱῶν17×
- υἱῷ13×
- υἱοὺς13×
- υἱόν9×
- υἱὲ8×
- υἱοῖς7×
- υἱοί5×
Key Verses
-
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
This verse anchors the gospel message by identifying Jesus as God's unique Son, whose sacrifice grants eternal life to all who believe.
-
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Here the term expands beyond biological lineage to describe spiritual character, showing that peacemakers reflect the nature of their Father.
-
Matthew 8:20
Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Jesus uses 'Son of Man' to highlight his humble earthly existence and lack of permanent home, contrasting with royal expectations.
-
Matthew 11:27
All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
This statement reveals the exclusive, intimate knowledge shared between the Father and the Son, inviting believers into that revealed relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does huios mean in the New Testament?
Why did Jesus call himself the Son of Man?
How is huios different from other words for child?
Every Occurrence (348 verses across 20 books)
Matthew 83 verses
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:20But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son…
Matthew 1:21She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel,” which is,…
Matthew 1:25and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
Matthew 2:15and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,…
Matthew 3:17Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 4:3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Matthew 4:6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels…
Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Matthew 5:45that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and…
Matthew 7:9Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
Matthew 8:12but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of…
Matthew 8:20Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his…
Matthew 8:29Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us…
Matthew 9:6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic),…
Matthew 9:15Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will…
Matthew 9:27As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”
Matthew 10:23But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone…
Matthew 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t…
Matthew 11:19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax…
Matthew 11:27All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know…
Matthew 12:8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:23All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?”
Matthew 12:27If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
Matthew 12:32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it…
Matthew 12:40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and…
Matthew 13:37He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,
Matthew 13:38the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the…
Matthew 13:41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and…
Matthew 13:55Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
Matthew 14:33Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!”
Matthew 15:22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My…
Matthew 16:13Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the…
Matthew 16:16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will give to everyone according to…
Matthew 16:28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying,…
Matthew 17:9As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the…
Matthew 17:12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to.…
Matthew 17:15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often…
Matthew 17:22While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of…
Matthew 17:25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Matthew 17:26Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
Matthew 18:11For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.
Matthew 19:28Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man…
Matthew 20:18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they…
Matthew 20:20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
Matthew 20:21He said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand…
Matthew 20:28even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on…
Matthew 20:31The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on…
Matthew 21:5“Tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a…
Matthew 21:9The multitudes who went in front of him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed…
Matthew 21:15But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in…
Matthew 21:37But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
Matthew 21:38But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and seize his…
Matthew 22:2“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding feast for his son,
Matthew 22:42saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “Of David.”
Matthew 22:45“If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
Matthew 23:15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he…
Matthew 23:31Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets.
Matthew 23:35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of…
Matthew 24:27For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:30and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will…
Matthew 24:36“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:37As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:39and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:44Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 25:13Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:31“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his…
Matthew 26:2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Matthew 26:24The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would…
Matthew 26:37He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.
Matthew 26:45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and…
Matthew 26:63But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are…
Matthew 26:64Jesus said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the…
Matthew 27:9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…
Matthew 27:40and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down…
Matthew 27:43He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
Matthew 27:54Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were…
Matthew 27:56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Matthew 28:19Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,