Matthew 16:28
What does Matthew 16:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 16:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 16:28 means
Jesus makes a remarkable and somewhat mysterious statement: "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." This prophecy is often understood as a reference to the Transfiguration, which immediately follows in Matthew's narrative (chapter 17), where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus in glorious, kingdom power. It could also refer to the resurrection, Pentecost, or the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, all of which demonstrated Jesus' kingly authority.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Verily 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Verily 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Verily 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Truly I say to you, There are some of those here who will not have a taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Verily 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.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Verily I say unto you, There are some of those standing here that shall not taste of death at all until they shall have seen the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Context
This verse concludes Jesus' discourse on discipleship and the coming judgment, offering a powerful and enigmatic promise. It serves as a direct bridge to the next chapter, where the Transfiguration of Jesus provides a partial fulfillment of this prophecy, giving the disciples a foretaste of His glorious kingdom and solidifying the divine nature of the Son of Man.
v.27For 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.
v.28This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.
- John 8:52
The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.
- Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.
- Matthew 24:3
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
- Hebrews 2:9
But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.
- Mark 9:1
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.
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