Matthew 16:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

NIV: "Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

NASB: Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.'

CSB: Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

NLT: And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.'

KJV: Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

NKJV: “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

This section ends with a controversial comment from Jesus to His closest followers. He has affirmed His role as the Messiah (Matthew 16:16–17) and declared that He will come in glory to repay each person for their deeds (Matthew 16:27). Now He adds that some standing near to hear those words would not die before seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

Many different explanations have been suggested about what Jesus meant by this prediction. Most scholars and commentators agree He was referring to the "transfiguration," literally the very next event mentioned by Matthew. Jesus will be transfigured from His fully human form into His glorious kingdom appearance as the Son of God. His face will shine like the sun, and His clothes will become white as light (Matthew 17:1–2). Peter, James, and John will be eyewitnesses to this event.

A smaller number of interpreters believe Jesus was implying that the disciples would not die before seeing Him resurrected, or seeing the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, or seeing increasing numbers of people believe in Jesus following His resurrection and return to heaven.

An even smaller number of scholars connect this prediction of Jesus to the destruction of the Jewish temple in AD 70 or to the second coming of Christ.

The transfiguration seems to be the most natural fit for Jesus' prediction here, especially since it follows so quickly after this moment. Peter, James, and John are truly given a glimpse of Jesus in the full glory of His natural state in the kingdom of heaven—something extraordinarily rare among living people.

Matthew 16:21–28 describes the disciples' reaction when Jesus reveals He must be killed by religious leaders and raised on the third day. Peter, recently praised for His faith (Matthew 16:17), chastises Jesus for saying such things. Jesus responds with a devastating rebuke of His own, saying "Get behind me, Satan!" Peter's insistence that Messiah could not be killed is based in his own assumptions, not truth. Christ warns that those who follow Him must be willing to give up all else in the world, and to take on hardship and persecution, as needed. He adds that some standing there will not die before seeing Him coming in His kingdom; this prediction is fulfilled in the next passage (Matthew 17:1–2).

A group of Pharisees and Sadducees demand a miracle from Jesus, though He has already performed many. Jesus refuses and warns the disciples to beware of the teachings of these religious leaders. Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is, as well as their own opinion. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, and is commended for that statement. Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer and be killed before being raised on the third day. Peter's attempt to scold Jesus results in a devastating rebuke. Jesus then says all who would follow Him must take up crosses of self-denial.

Matthew 16 finds Jesus returned from the Gentile regions, only to be immediately confronted by another group of Jewish religious leaders. Yet again, these men prove they are insincere: no amount of evidence will ever be enough for them. After a dramatic discussion about Jesus' role as Messiah, Jesus indicates that those who would come after Him must take up their crosses and follow Him. His references to some seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom will be fulfilled at the beginning of chapter 17, in an event known as the transfiguration.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.