And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus drops a powerful assurance here: some alive right then would witness the real arrival of God’s kingdom in full force, not just as a future hope. This wasn't just about seeing miracles; it was about experiencing God's reign breaking through with undeniable power, an event so significant that it would happen before some of those listeners even faced death.
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished a serious talk with his disciples, especially Peter, rebuking him for trying to prevent Jesus from suffering and dying, reminding them all that following him means embracing hardship and self-denial. Immediately following this intense correction, Jesus makes a bold promise: some of those standing with him will witness the kingdom of God arriving with great power before they die. This declaration directly connects to the immediate aftermath of Peter's well-meaning but misguided attempt to shield Jesus from his destined suffering.
Jesus promises a glimpse of the Kingdom's power. What does that 'power' actually look like, and how does it show up before death?
Jesus is speaking about a tangible manifestation of God's reign, not just an internal spiritual experience. The phrase 'come with power' suggests a dynamic, visible, and impactful arrival.
Think of it as God's rule breaking through in a dramatic, undeniable way. This isn't a whisper; it's a proclamation. It signifies a significant advancement or demonstration of the Kingdom's authority and presence in the world.
Jesus assures his followers that some of them will experience this powerful arrival of the Kingdom before they die. What event(s) could fulfill this bold prediction?
This promise connects Jesus' teachings about the Kingdom with specific, future events that would occur within the lifetime of some of his disciples. The historical context points to a few key possibilities:
The Transfiguration
This mountaintop event, happening just days later, showed Jesus in glory, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. It was a powerful, albeit temporary, glimpse of the Kingdom's future splendor and Jesus' divine authority.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
Jesus also spoke of the coming judgment on Jerusalem, which involved the dramatic overthrow of the Jewish system. This event, occurring within forty years, represented a significant demonstration of God's power against those who rejected His Kingdom.
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Pentecost
As mentioned before, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was a pivotal moment where the Kingdom's power was unleashed, establishing the Church and transforming lives.
Understand the original words
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun
The rule, reign, or sovereign authority of God over all creation, which was inaugurated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and will be fully realized at His second coming.
amēn · Greek Adverb
A Hebrew/Aramaic term used to express absolute certainty or solemn affirmation, often translated as 'Amen'; it signifies the veracity and authority of the speaker's words.
Jesus' prediction points to both the empowering spread of his kingdom through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the dramatic judgment on Jerusalem, showing the 'power' of God's reign in both creation and destruction.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus proclaims the coming of God's kingdom and is crucified, an event that profoundly shakes his followers.
c. AD 33— this verse
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, empowering them to preach the gospel. This marks a significant 'coming with power' of God's kingdom through the Church.
c. AD 62-70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman Empire lays siege to Jerusalem, culminating in the destruction of the Temple and the end of the Jewish nation as it was. This event dramatically demonstrated God's judgment and the end of an era.
c. AD 90s
Writing of the Gospel of Mark
The Gospel of Mark is written, recording Jesus' words and the events of his life, including this prediction.
This passage is a close parallel, with Matthew's account mentioning seeing the 'Son of Man coming in His kingdom,' which is a similar concept to the 'kingdom of God come with power' in Mark.
Luke 9:27Luke's Gospel also records Jesus' statement, using the phrase 'see the kingdom of God,' and scholars often group these accounts together due to their thematic similarity.
Acts 2:1-4This event, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, is seen by many as the initial powerful manifestation of the Kingdom of God on earth, fulfilling Jesus' promise to some of those present.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44This passage describes the resurrection body, which is a powerful aspect of the Kingdom's future reality, hinting at the 'power' Jesus spoke of in a transformed, eternal state.
Revelation 11:15This verse speaks of the seventh trumpet announcing that 'the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,' directly aligning with the 'kingdom of God come with power.'
barnesMark 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."
Verily I say ... - See the notes at Matthew 16:28 . This verse properly belongs to the preceding chapter and the preceding discourse.
expositorsMark 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."
2-38 CHAPTER 8:32 - 9:1 (Mark 8:32-38 - Mark 9:1)THE REBUKE OF PETER "And He spake the saying openly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him.". . . . "But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God,…
Jesus drops a powerful assurance here: some alive right then would witness the real arrival of God’s kingdom in full force, not just as a future hope. This wasn't just about seeing miracles; it was about experiencing God's reign breaking through with undeniable power, an event so significant that it would happen before some of those listeners even faced death.
Jesus has just finished a serious talk with his disciples, especially Peter, rebuking him for trying to prevent Jesus from suffering and dying, reminding them all that following him means embracing hardship and self-denial. Immediately following this intense correction, Jesus makes a bold promise: some of those standing with him will witness the kingdom of God arriving with great power before they die. This declaration directly connects to the immediate aftermath of Peter's well-meaning but misguided attempt to shield Jesus from his destined suffering.
Jesus has just finished a serious talk with his disciples, especially Peter, rebuking him for trying to prevent Jesus from suffering and dying, reminding them all that following him means embracing hardship and self-denial. Immediately following this intense correction, Jesus makes a bold promise: some of those standing with him will witness the kingdom of God arriving with great power before they die. This declaration directly connects to the immediate aftermath of Peter's well-meaning but misguided attempt to shield Jesus from his destined suffering.
"And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”" — Jesus drops a powerful assurance here: some alive right then would witness the real arrival of God’s kingdom in full force, not just as a future hope. This wasn't just about seeing miracles; it was…
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Last reviewed October 2026