Matthew 16:27
What does Matthew 16:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 16:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 16:27 means
Jesus explains the ultimate motivation for self-denial and cross-bearing: the coming judgment. He declares that "the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds." This prophecy of the second coming of Christ emphasizes a future day of divine accountability, when every person will be judged not by their earthly achievements, but by their actions and allegiance to Him. This provides a powerful incentive for living a life wholly devoted to Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the Son of man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he will give to every man the reward of his works.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`For, the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father, with his messengers, and then he will reward each, according to his work.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the Son of man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to each according to his doings.
Context
This verse directly ties the call to discipleship and its accompanying sacrifices to the future reality of Christ's glorious return and final judgment. It provides a weighty motivation for obedient living, moving the focus from earthly loss to eternal reward. This declaration of future judgment leads directly into a promise of a near-term glimpse of His kingdom's power.
v.26For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?
v.27This passage
v.28Verily 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 22:69
But from henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God.
- Jude 1:14
And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
- Romans 14:12
So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
- Daniel 7:10
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
- Luke 9:26
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
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