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Matthew 16:28

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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.

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}.

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!"

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

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

Matthew 16:28 is a profound and often discussed statement by Jesus, delivered shortly after Peter's confession of Christ and Jesus' first prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection. This verse offers a powerful promise to His disciples regarding the imminent manifestation of His kingdom and glory.

Context

This verse concludes a crucial section in Jesus' ministry. Just before this, Peter confesses Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16), leading to Jesus' declaration about building His church. Immediately following, Jesus reveals His path of suffering and death, which Peter initially resists (Matthew 16:21-23). Jesus then calls His followers to radical self-denial and cross-bearing, emphasizing that true life is found in losing one's life for His sake (Matthew 16:24-27). Verse 28 serves as an assurance and a glimmer of hope after these challenging teachings, promising a visible display of divine authority to some within that very generation.

Key Themes

  • The Imminence of Christ's Kingdom Manifestation: Jesus states that "some standing here" would not die before seeing the "Son of man coming in his kingdom." This points to a near-term, visible display of His kingly power and glory.
  • A Foretaste of Glory: The most widely accepted interpretation connects this prophecy directly to the Transfiguration of Jesus, which occurs just six days later (as recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36). Peter, James, and John, who were present, witnessed Jesus glorified, speaking with Moses and Elijah – a powerful glimpse into His divine majesty and the reality of His kingdom.
  • Assurance Amidst Suffering: After calling His disciples to pick up their cross, Jesus offers this promise as an encouragement. It assures them that the kingdom they anticipate is not just a distant hope but would be powerfully demonstrated in their lifetime, validating Jesus' identity and mission.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" is a significant messianic title Jesus frequently used for Himself, emphasizing both His true humanity and His divine authority, often echoing the prophetic vision in Daniel 7:13-14. The word "coming" (Greek: erchomai) can denote an arrival, presence, or manifestation, not exclusively a physical return. "In his kingdom" (Greek: en tē basileia autou) signifies His royal rule and dominion, which could be displayed in various ways, including a visible manifestation of His glory.

Practical Application

Matthew 16:28 reminds us that God's promises are trustworthy and often fulfilled in ways that reveal His glory and power. For believers today, this verse offers:

  • Encouragement in Discipleship: Just as the disciples were shown a glimpse of Christ's glory after being called to self-denial, we are assured that following Christ, even through hardship, leads to seeing His glory and experiencing His kingdom.
  • The Reality of Christ's Reign: It underscores that Christ's kingdom is not merely a future event but has a present reality and power that can be experienced and witnessed.
  • Faith in Prophecy: It demonstrates the reliability of Jesus' words and prophecies, strengthening our faith in His ultimate return and the full establishment of His eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:1-4).

Ultimately, Matthew 16:28 serves as a powerful testimony to the immediate and future reality of Jesus' divine authority and the glorious nature of His kingdom.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 (25 votes)

    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 (23 votes)

    ¶ 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 (10 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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