SPECIAL TOPIC: "SONS OF. . ."

The term "son" (or "children of. . .") is often used to characterize a group (or individual) or show one's inclusion in a group.

A. Characterization of a group

1. positive

a. sons of the Kingdom, Matt. 8:12; 13:38

b. sons of men, Mark 3:28; Eph. 3:5

c. sons of light, Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Eph. 5:8; I Thess. 5:5

d. sons of the resurrection, Luke 20:36

e. sons of the Prophets, Acts 3:25

f. sons of the covenant, Acts 3:25

g. children of God, I John 3:10

2. negative

a. sons of the evil one, Matt. 13:38; John 8:44; I John 3:10

b. a son of hell, Matt. 23:15

c. sons of this age, Luke 16:8; 20:34

d. sons of the devil, Acts 13:10; 23:6

e. sons of disobedience, Eph. 2:2; 5:6

B. Characterization of an individual

1. positive

a. son of encouragement (i.e., Barnabas), Acts 4:36

b. son of Pharisees (i.e., Paul), Acts 23:6

2. negative

a. sons of thunder (i.e., James and John), Mark 3:17

b. son of perdition (i.e., Judas Iscariot), John 17:12

c. son of destruction (the Antichrist), II Thess. 2:3