Matthew 16:28

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, There be {G1526} some {G5100} standing {G2476} here {G5602}, which {G3748} shall {G1089} not {G3364} taste {G1089} of death {G2288}, till {G302}{G2193} they see {G1492} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} coming {G2064} in {G1722} his {G846} kingdom {G932}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes! I tell you that there are some people standing here who will not experience death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom!"

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Verily I say unto you, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 16:28 presents a profound and often debated declaration from Jesus to His disciples, immediately following Peter's confession and Jesus' first prediction of His passion. This verse serves as a powerful assurance, promising that some of those present would not experience physical death before witnessing a significant manifestation of the Son of Man's kingly authority and the inauguration of His kingdom, offering a glimpse of His divine glory and validating His messianic claims.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a pivotal section in Matthew's Gospel. It follows Peter's monumental confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" in [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Peter's Confession of Christ"), which then leads to Jesus' declaration about building His church and entrusting Peter with the keys of the kingdom. Immediately after this, Jesus begins to explicitly teach His disciples about His impending suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem ([Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection")). Peter's subsequent rebuke of Jesus, and Jesus' sharp response, "Get behind me, Satan!" ([Matthew 16:23](/matthew/16-23 "Jesus Rebukes Peter")), underscore the radical nature of Jesus' path. The call to radical discipleship, involving self-denial and cross-bearing, and the warning about losing one's life to save it, or gaining the world at the cost of one's soul, are presented in [Matthew 16:24-27](/matthew/16-24-27 "The Cost of Discipleship"). Verse 28, therefore, acts as a counterpoint and a powerful encouragement, offering a promise of visible glory and vindication after the challenging call to suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry was unfolding in a Jewish context under Roman occupation. The Jewish people eagerly awaited a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom, overthrow Roman rule, and restore Israel's sovereignty. The disciples, like many Jews, likely held these nationalistic expectations. Jesus' repeated emphasis on suffering and death for Himself and His followers would have been deeply counter-intuitive and discouraging to them. The promise of "seeing the Son of Man coming in his kingdom" within their lifetime would have resonated with their hopes for a tangible manifestation of divine power, even if their understanding of "kingdom" still needed refinement. This declaration would have been understood against the backdrop of Old Testament prophecies concerning a glorious, reigning Messiah, such as those found in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel's Vision of the Son of Man").
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 16:28 contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader New Testament theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Imminence of Christ's Kingdom Manifestation**, indicating a near-term, visible display of His kingly power and glory, not merely a distant eschatological event. Secondly, it serves as a **Foretaste of Glory**, widely interpreted as a direct prophecy of the [Transfiguration](/matthew/17-1-8 "The Transfiguration of Jesus"), which occurs just six days later and is recounted in [Matthew 17:1-8](/matthew/17-1-8 "Matthew's Account of the Transfiguration"), [Mark 9:2-8](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark's Account of the Transfiguration"), and [Luke 9:28-36](/luke/9-28-36 "Luke's Account of the Transfiguration"). This event, witnessed by Peter, James, and John, provided a powerful, tangible glimpse into Jesus' divine majesty and the reality of His kingdom, validating His identity and mission. Thirdly, the verse offers **Assurance Amidst Suffering**, providing encouragement to disciples who had just been called to radical self-denial and cross-bearing, assuring them that their commitment would be vindicated by a powerful display of Christ's reigning authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn'_):** From a Hebrew root meaning "firm" or "trustworthy," this adverb signifies "truly," "certainly," or "so be it." Jesus' use of "Amen, I say to you" (often translated "Verily I say unto you") emphasizes the absolute truth and authority of His statement, signaling a weighty and reliable pronouncement.
* **Taste (Greek, _geúomai'_):** This verb means to "taste" literally, but also figuratively to "experience" or "partake of." In the phrase "taste of death," it is a common idiom meaning to experience death. The negative "shall not taste of death" therefore means they will not experience death before the promised event.
* **Coming (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies "to come" or "to go" in a wide variety of applications, both literal and figurative. In this context, it denotes an arrival, presence, or powerful manifestation of the Son of Man. It does not exclusively imply a physical, final return, but can refer to an active, visible display of His authority and presence.
* **Kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** This noun refers to "royalty," "rule," or a "realm." When Jesus speaks of "His kingdom," He refers to His sovereign reign and dominion, which can manifest in various ways—spiritually, physically, and eschatologically. Here, it points to a visible display of His royal power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Verily I say unto you":** This solemn opening, characteristic of Jesus' teaching, underscores the absolute truth and certainty of the declaration that follows, demanding the disciples' full attention and belief.
* **"There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death":** Jesus indicates that not all of His immediate audience, but a subset of them, would live to witness the event He is about to describe. This establishes a near-term fulfillment within the lifetime of His contemporaries.
* **"till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom":** This is the core of the prophecy. "The Son of man" is Jesus' preferred self-designation, emphasizing both His humanity and His divine, authoritative role as depicted in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel's Vision of the Son of Man"). The phrase "coming in his kingdom" refers to a powerful, visible manifestation of His kingly rule and glory. The most widely accepted interpretation connects this directly to the Transfiguration, which occurred just six days later, where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus in a glorified state, a powerful foretaste of His kingdom's glory. Other interpretations include the resurrection, Pentecost, or the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, all of which represent significant manifestations of Christ's authority and the advance of His kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 16:28 employs several significant literary devices. The phrase "Verily I say unto you" functions as a **solemn declaration**, emphasizing the absolute truth and authority of Jesus' words, drawing the listener's full attention to the impending revelation. The idiom "taste of death" is a powerful **metonymy** or **euphemism** for experiencing physical death, making the promise of not experiencing it before a certain event even more striking. The title "**Son of man**" is a rich **messianic title** that carries deep Old Testament connotations, particularly from [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts and the Son of Man"), denoting both Jesus' humanity and His divine, sovereign authority. The concept of "coming in his kingdom" is a form of **prophecy**, a forward-looking statement whose fulfillment is debated but widely understood to refer to a visible manifestation of Jesus' divine power and kingly reign, such as the Transfiguration. The verse also uses **synecdoche** in "some standing here," referring to a part (a few disciples) representing the whole group present, and implying a specific, select group who would witness the promised event.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 16:28 is a pivotal verse that bridges Jesus' teaching on the cost of discipleship with the assurance of His divine authority and the reality of His kingdom. Theologically, it underscores the inaugurated nature of God's kingdom—it is both "already" present in Christ's person and work, and "not yet" fully consummated. The promise of "seeing the Son of man coming in his kingdom" provides a tangible, immediate validation of Jesus' identity and mission, particularly after the challenging call to self-denial and suffering. It assures the disciples that their commitment to a suffering Messiah would not be in vain, but would lead to a powerful encounter with His glory. This immediate manifestation serves as a down payment on the future, full realization of His kingdom, reinforcing the trustworthiness of all His prophecies.

* [Matthew 17:1-8](/matthew/17-1-8 "The Transfiguration of Jesus")
* [Mark 9:1](/mark/9-1 "Mark's Parallel to Matthew 16:28")
* [Luke 9:27](/luke/9-27 "Luke's Parallel to Matthew 16:28")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 16:28, while historically fulfilled in events like the Transfiguration, continues to offer profound spiritual nourishment for believers today. It reminds us that following Christ, even when it involves significant personal cost and self-denial, is never without the promise of experiencing His glory and the reality of His kingdom. Just as the disciples were given a glimpse of Christ's majesty after being called to take up their cross, we too are assured that our faithfulness, even amidst hardship, will be met with divine revelation and the tangible presence of God's reign. This verse calls us to cultivate a vision that extends beyond immediate difficulties, fixed on the certain hope of Christ's ultimate triumph and the ongoing manifestation of His kingdom in our lives and in the world. It encourages us to live with an eschatological hope that empowers present obedience, knowing that the King is indeed "coming" in various ways, bringing His power and presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of seeing Christ's kingdom manifest in the disciples' lifetime encourage you in your own walk of faith, especially when facing challenges or calls to self-denial?**
* **In what ways have you personally "seen" or experienced the "Son of man coming in his kingdom" in your life or in the world around you?**
* **How does understanding the immediate fulfillment of this prophecy (e.g., the Transfiguration) strengthen your trust in Jesus' other promises, including His ultimate return?**

### FAQ
**What does "taste of death" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "taste of death" (Greek: _geúomai_ [G1089] _thánatos_ [G2288]) is an ancient idiom meaning to experience or undergo death. Therefore, Jesus' statement "shall not taste of death" means that some of the people standing there would not die before the promised event took place. This emphasizes the imminence and certainty of the "Son of man coming in his kingdom" within that generation's lifetime.

**What is the most widely accepted interpretation of "the Son of man coming in his kingdom"?**

Answer: The most widely accepted interpretation among biblical scholars is that Jesus is referring to the [Transfiguration](/matthew/17-1-8 "The Transfiguration of Jesus"), which is recorded just six days later in [Matthew 17:1-8](/matthew/17-1-8 "Matthew's Account of the Transfiguration"), [Mark 9:2-8](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark's Account of the Transfiguration"), and [Luke 9:28-36](/luke/9-28-36 "Luke's Account of the Transfiguration"). In this event, Peter, James, and John—who were among those "standing here"—witnessed Jesus glorified, speaking with Moses and Elijah, receiving affirmation from the Father. This was a powerful, visible manifestation of His divine glory and a foretaste of His kingdom's power. Other interpretations include the resurrection, Pentecost, or the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, all of which represent significant manifestations of Christ's authority and the advance of His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 16:28 finds its Christ-centered fulfillment not in a single event, but in the unfolding reality of Jesus' messianic reign, inaugurated through His life, death, and resurrection, and powerfully displayed in the Transfiguration. The "Son of man coming in his kingdom" is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus' triumph over sin and death, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which empowered the church to advance His spiritual kingdom across the earth. The Transfiguration, a direct and immediate fulfillment, offered Peter, James, and John a prefigurement of Christ's ultimate glory, validating His identity as the divine King. This glimpse of glory served as an anchor for their faith, particularly as they faced the scandal of the cross. Furthermore, the "coming in his kingdom" also points forward to the present reality of Christ's spiritual reign through His church ([Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Christ's Supremacy and the Church")), and ultimately to His glorious return when His kingdom will be fully and visibly established for all eternity ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")). Thus, Matthew 16:28 is a multifaceted prophecy, assuring the disciples of an imminent, visible manifestation of Christ's kingly power, which foreshadows and guarantees the full and final establishment of His eternal dominion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.

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.

John 8:52

Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

Matthew 10:23

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Matthew 26:64

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

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.

Mark 13:26

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.