The Nugget:
Mat 16:28 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)
Mat 16:28 Verily I say to you, there are certain of those standing here who shall not taste of death till they may see the Son of Man coming in his reign.’ (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)
Mat 16:28 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. (ESV, English Standard Version)
My Comment:
This is a much misunderstood verse!
I was reading the Bible and once again came upon this statement of Jesus.
This time I took the time to study Matthew 16:28 by reading the cross references given for this verse.
It was then that I saw that this verse and its parallels in Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 have been carefully explained by Peter in 2 Peter 1:16, 17, 18.
The Question
Mar 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. (KJV)
What coming is referred to in this statement by Jesus?
The Answer
2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
Peter explains that the coming that our Lord Jesus Christ referred to took place when He took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where they witnessed the Transfiguration.
Therefore, this “coming” is not a prophetic reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD as claimed by the preterists. This “coming” has no reference to the Second Coming of Christ which is yet future. This “coming” provided Peter, James, and John a preview of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ as He was transfigured before them. This is further proven by the placement of the Transfiguration account in all three synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke immediately after claim Jesus made that there were some standing there who would not experience death before they had seen the Son of man coming in his kingdom (Matthew 16:28). His promise was fulfilled six days later as recorded in Matthew 17:1-8,
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.