1:51 heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending. This verse alludes to Jacob’s vision of a ladder or stairway stretching from earth to heaven (Gen. 28:12). Jesus presents Himself as the reality to which the stairway pointed. Jacob saw in a dream the reunion of heaven and earth; Christ brought it about in reality.

Son of Man. Jesus uses this name often for Himself. It emphasizes His human nature that enabled Him to die for His people. It also refers to the heavenly, messianic figure known from Daniel (Dan. 7:13; see Matt. 8:20 note).