Was Jesus’ statement that “some who are standing here will not taste death” in Luke 9:27 (also Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1) incorrect?
Jesus’ statement in Luke 9:27 that “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God” (repeated in Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1) has led some to question the accuracy of his prediction. At first glance, it seems that Jesus was saying some of his contemporaries would still be alive when God’s kingdom arrived. Since that generation passed away without the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, skeptics claim Jesus’ statement proved false. But is this the proper understanding of Jesus’ words? Let’s take a closer look at the context and meaning of this challenging statement.
The Setting of Jesus’ Statement
Jesus made this statement shortly after Peter’s confession that he was the Christ (Luke 9:18-20). In response, Jesus foretold his suffering, death, and resurrection (Luke 9:21-22). Jesus connected his words about the kingdom’s arrival to his impending death, indicating the kingdom would come in connection with his redemptive work. After this, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain where he was transfigured before them, appearing in glory with Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:28-36). The transfiguration gave the three disciples a glimpse of Jesus’ future glorification, which would occur after his death and resurrection.
Right after the transfiguration, Jesus made the statement that some standing there would not taste death before seeing the kingdom. The proximity of this statement to Jesus’ transfiguration is significant, linking what the disciples would soon see to Jesus’ glorification. The fulfillment of Jesus’ words would come just days later.
The Coming of the Kingdom
What did Jesus mean by the coming of the kingdom? The Old Testament prophesied God’s future messianic kingdom characterized by righteousness, justice, and peace (Isaiah 11:1-9; 32:1-17). Jesus proclaimed the arrival of this kingdom during his earthly ministry (Luke 4:43; 8:1). However, the kingdom was “already but not yet” inaugurated during Christ’s first coming. While Jesus launched the kingdom, its complete establishment still awaited his second coming. Consequently, Jesus’ contemporaries would witness manifestations of the kingdom through his miracles, preaching, and the founding of the church. Still, the kingdom’s complete fulfillment lay in the future.
The Transfiguration as a Kingdom Preview
The proximity of the transfiguration to Jesus’ statement about the kingdom suggests he had the transfiguration in mind as the event some would see before tasting death. During this event, the disciples saw Jesus’ glory as God’s Son and heard the voice of God acknowledge him as his beloved Son. In this miraculous event, they received a glimpse of Jesus’ future exaltation. In this way, it constituted a preview of the coming of God’s kingdom in power at Jesus’ second coming (Mark 9:1). The transfiguration fulfilled Jesus’ words that some standing there would see the kingdom before tasting death.
Within a week after Jesus made this statement, he took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain where he was transfigured before them (Matthew 17:1-8). In this miraculous event, Jesus’ face shone like the sun and his clothes became radiantly white. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about his upcoming departure in Jerusalem. A bright cloud overshadowed them and God’s voice spoke out of the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” After this vision ended, Jesus told his disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen until after his resurrection. This transfiguration experience gave Peter, James and John a glimpse of Jesus’ future glory in his kingdom. In this way, it constituted a preview of the kingdom soon to arrive at Jesus’ second coming. Through this event, Jesus’ prophecy that some standing there would see the kingdom before tasting death found fulfillment.
The Son of Man Coming in His Kingdom
Importantly, the accounts in Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 add that the disciples would see “the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” before tasting death. This detail ties the event directly to Jesus himself coming in glory into his kingdom. Jesus frequently used the term “Son of Man” in reference to himself and his future coming on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30; 26:64). He thus connected the kingdom’s coming to his own glorification and enthronement as the triumphant Son of Man. The transfiguration provided a glimpse of this future reality, revealing Jesus in his glory as the exalted Son of Man. In this way, it constituted a preview of Jesus coming as the glorified Son of Man into his kingdom at his second coming. Through it, the prophecy of some not tasting death before seeing Jesus coming in his kingdom found fulfillment.
John’s Revelation of Jesus’ Kingdom
Some also see the vision given to John in Revelation 1:9-20 as a fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy. In this passage, John described seeing the glorified risen Christ, including his face shining like the sun in full strength. Some contend John saw this vision of the glorified Christ before tasting death, fulfilling Jesus’ words that some would see the kingdom come during their lifetimes. While possible, the connection is less explicit than with the transfiguration. Nevertheless, John’s vision constitutes another preview of Jesus’ future reign as the glorious Son of Man in his kingdom. Through John, Jesus gave another glimpse of the kingdom soon to arrive when he returned in power and great glory.
The Kingdom’s Power Demonstrated
Beginning at Pentecost after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples saw a surge of kingdom power evidenced through dramatic healing miracles (Acts 3:1-10), deliverances (Acts 16:16-18), and power encounters with magic practitioners (Acts 8:9-24). Through their Spirit-empowered preaching, masses turned to Christ in a short time. Though persecuted, the apostles saw the kingdom advance unhindered, just as Jesus promised (Matthew 16:18). This fulfillment of Jesus’ words about the kingdom’s future progress (Mark 13:10) demonstrated its arrival in power, even if not yet in its fullness. Nevertheless, Christ now reigned from heaven over his kingdom composed of Spirit-filled believers.
Conclusion
In light of the biblical context, Jesus’ statement that some standing there would see the kingdom before tasting death finds fulfillment in the transfiguration. This event gave Peter, James, and John a glimpse of Jesus in his glory as the exalted Son of Man coming into his kingdom. It constituted a powerful preview of the future reality soon to dawn at Jesus’ second coming. Other manifestations of the kingdom while the apostles remained alive also fulfilled Jesus’ words, though the transfiguration stands as the primary fulfillment. Therefore, Jesus’ statement proved neither inaccurate nor false but a prophecy reliably fulfilled just days after he spoke it. Careful examination of Jesus’ words in context shows that charges of error reflect a mistaken notion of how the kingdom of God arrived in stages rather than all at once. By failing to understand this already/not yet progression, skeptics wrongly assume Jesus’ statement went unfulfilled. However, when properly understood in context, Jesus’ prophecy stands as a remarkably prescient prediction quickly validated by events during his disciples’ lifetimes.
