Mark 9:1

¶ And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} there be {G1526} some {G5100} of them that stand {G2476} here {G5602}, which {G3748} shall {G1089} not {G3364} taste {G1089} of death {G2288}, till {G2193}{G302} they have seen {G1492} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} come {G2064} with {G1722} power {G1411}.

Yes!" he went on, "I tell you that there are some people standing here who will not experience death until they see the Kingdom of God come in a powerful way!"

Then Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.”

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand by, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power.

Commentary

Mark 9:1 presents a profound and often-discussed statement by Jesus to His disciples, immediately preceding the pivotal event of the Transfiguration. This verse serves as a crucial bridge between Jesus' teaching on discipleship and suffering (Mark 8:34-38) and the revelation of His divine glory.

Context

This declaration is given right after Jesus has spoken about the cost of discipleship, urging His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross. The statement in Mark 9:1 comes as an assurance, a glimpse of future glory and power that would validate His claims and encourage those who might be daunted by the prospect of suffering for His sake. The very next verses (Mark 9:2-8) describe the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John witness Jesus glorified on the mountain. This immediate textual proximity strongly suggests that the Transfiguration is the primary fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy of seeing "the kingdom of God come with power." Parallel accounts are found in Matthew 16:28 and Luke 9:27, further cementing its significance.

Key Themes

  • The Imminent Revelation of God's Kingdom: Jesus states that some of those present would not die before experiencing a powerful manifestation of God's reign. This points to a tangible, undeniable display of divine authority and glory within their lifetime.
  • The Power and Glory of Christ: The phrase "kingdom of God come with power" (δύναμις, dynamis) refers to God's inherent strength, miraculous ability, and sovereign authority. The Transfiguration powerfully reveals Jesus' true identity as the Son of God, a foretaste of His future glory and the full establishment of His kingdom. It was a moment when the veil between heaven and earth was momentarily lifted, showcasing the divine majesty of the King.
  • Assurance and Validation: Jesus' introductory phrase, "Verily I say unto you" (Greek: Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, Amen legō hymin), emphasizes the absolute truth and certainty of His declaration. It served to assure His disciples that despite the call to suffering, there was an undeniable reality of God's powerful presence and ultimate victory to witness.

Linguistic Insights

The word "Verily" is from the Greek Amen (ἀμὴν), a Hebrew transliteration meaning "truly," "certainly," or "so be it." When Jesus uses it to begin a statement, it signifies an emphatic declaration of truth, demanding full attention and belief from His hearers. The term "power" (δύναμις, dynamis) denotes inherent strength, miraculous power, and divine ability, underscoring the supernatural nature of the kingdom's manifestation.

Practical Application

For believers today, Mark 9:1 offers several insights:

  • Hope Amidst Suffering: Just as the disciples were encouraged by the promise of seeing God's kingdom power after hearing about the cross, we are reminded that commitment to Christ is not without ultimate reward and divine validation. Our present struggles are set against the backdrop of God's eternal, powerful reign.
  • Understanding God's Kingdom: This verse highlights that the Kingdom of God is not merely a future event but also has present manifestations of power and glory. While its full consummation awaits Christ's second coming, its reality can be experienced and witnessed even now through His Spirit and miraculous workings.
  • Trust in Jesus' Words: Jesus' "Verily I say unto you" reminds us of the absolute trustworthiness of His prophecies and promises. What He declares will certainly come to pass, whether in a literal, immediate fulfillment like the Transfiguration, or in grander, future events.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 9:27

    But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

  • Hebrews 2:9

    But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

  • Luke 22:30

    That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • Mark 13:30

    Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

  • Matthew 25:31

    When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

  • Matthew 24:30

    And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

  • Luke 2:26

    And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
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