But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus declares that some disciples will witness the coming of his kingdom before they die, not just in a future heavenly realm. This emphasizes the tangible, unfolding reality of God's reign, which began to be powerfully revealed even in his earthly ministry, not solely in a distant, eschatological event.
But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just after declaring that anyone who wants to follow him must deny themselves and take up their cross, Jesus makes a bold promise. He assures his listeners that some standing right there will witness the power of God’s kingdom before they die, offering a profound glimpse of future glory amidst the disciples' confusion about his impending suffering. This statement serves as a vital encouragement, pointing towards a triumph that will far outweigh any earthly hardship or shame they might face.
Jesus drops a bombshell: some people listening right now will witness something incredible before they even die. What does that even mean?
Jesus is speaking about the 'kingdom of God' in a way that's both immediate and profound. He's not just talking about the final, heavenly reign, but about its arrival and manifestation in a tangible way.
The Kingdom's Arrival
This 'seeing the kingdom of God' refers to experiencing its power and presence breaking into the world. It points to the dawning of the new era ushered in by Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.
Experiencing God's Rule
For those present, this meant seeing the Gospel begin to take root, witnessing miracles, and experiencing the transformative power of God's reign in their midst. It was a foretaste of the glory that would fully arrive later.
Why would Jesus say this right after talking about suffering and death? It seems completely counterintuitive!
This promise is incredibly radical because Jesus has just been talking about his own impending suffering and death. He's emphasized that following him means taking up a cross and losing one's life.
Suffering as the Path
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The 'kingdom of God' doesn't arrive with worldly power or grand displays that Peter might have imagined. Instead, its arrival is intimately linked to Jesus' suffering and rejection.
A Glimpse Through Weakness
Jesus is telling them that even amidst the ignominy of the cross, the power and reality of God's kingdom will be visible. This glimpse wouldn't be through earthly victory, but through the faithfulness of God’s people enduring hardship and through the ultimate triumph of the resurrection.
Understand the original words
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule and reign of God, both in the hearts of believers and in the future manifestation of his final, perfect kingdom on earth.
geuomai thanaton · Greek Verb phrase
An idiomatic expression meaning to die or to experience the end of physical life.
This verse promises that some disciples would witness the dawning of God's kingdom before their death, a promise fulfilled both in the powerful ministry of Jesus and his disciples after his resurrection and ascension, and strikingly in the dramatic destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, which marked a radical shift in God's dealings with Israel.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
During Jesus' public ministry, he taught, healed, and gathered disciples. This period was marked by growing crowds and increasing opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 29
Jesus Predicts His Death
Jesus explicitly tells his disciples that he must suffer, be rejected, killed, and rise again. This announcement is met with confusion and even rebuke from Peter.
c. AD 29
Jesus Teaches About Discipleship and Suffering
In response to Peter's denial of his suffering, Jesus teaches the necessity of self-denial, taking up one's cross, and following him, emphasizing the eternal value of the soul over worldly gain.
c. AD 30
The Transfiguration
A few days later, Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up a mountain where he is transfigured, showing a glimpse of his future glory, accompanied by Moses and Elijah.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ascension
After his resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven, fulfilling the promise of his return in glory and the establishment of his kingdom.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, a catastrophic event that many scholars interpret as a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies about the end of the current age and the coming of God's kingdom in judgment and power.
This passage is the parallel account in Matthew, using nearly identical phrasing and conveying the same core promise about some disciples witnessing the Kingdom's arrival before death.
Mark 9:1Mark's Gospel also records this statement, adding the crucial detail that the Kingdom would be seen 'coming in power,' which helps illuminate what Jesus meant by its arrival.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52This passage speaks of a future transformation that occurs at Christ's return, which relates to the ultimate manifestation of God's Kingdom that some alive at Jesus' time would witness.
Acts 2:1-4The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is often seen as a powerful, tangible manifestation of God's Kingdom breaking into the world, fulfilling Jesus' promise to those who were standing there.
Revelation 1:9The Apostle John, who was one of those disciples present, later writes about being in the 'tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus' on Patmos, linking his experience to the Kingdom's unfolding.
calvinLuke 9:21-27: "And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;"
- Then he charged his disciples [451] not to tell any one that he was Jesus the Christ. 21. From that time Jesus began to make known to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and be raised again on the third day. 22. And Peter, taking him aside, [452] began to rebuke him, saying, Lord, spare thyself; [45…
gillLuke 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."
But I tell you of a truth,.... And let it be received as such; you may assure yourselves of it, that not only at the last day, the son of man will come in this glorious manner, and show his resentment to all such as have been ashamed of him; but, also there be some standing here, which shall not, taste of death till they see the kingdom of God; the Gospel dispen…
Jesus declares that some disciples will witness the coming of his kingdom before they die, not just in a future heavenly realm. This emphasizes the tangible, unfolding reality of God's reign, which began to be powerfully revealed even in his earthly ministry, not solely in a distant, eschatological event.
Just after declaring that anyone who wants to follow him must deny themselves and take up their cross, Jesus makes a bold promise. He assures his listeners that some standing right there will witness the power of God’s kingdom before they die, offering a profound glimpse of future glory amidst the disciples' confusion about his impending suffering. This statement serves as a vital encouragement, pointing towards a triumph that will far outweigh any earthly hardship or shame they might face.
Just after declaring that anyone who wants to follow him must deny themselves and take up their cross, Jesus makes a bold promise. He assures his listeners that some standing right there will witness the power of God’s kingdom before they die, offering a profound glimpse of future glory amidst the disciples' confusion about his impending suffering. This statement serves as a vital encouragement, pointing towards a triumph that will far outweigh any earthly hardship or shame they might face.
"But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”" — Jesus declares that some disciples will witness the coming of his kingdom before they die, not just in a future heavenly realm. This emphasizes the tangible, unfolding reality of God's reign, which…
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Last reviewed October 2026