I was wondering about the meaning of Matthew 16:28 – “some of you will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom”?
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” – Matthew 16:28. Since we already know that Christ has not returned to the earth, we must look to the most logical explanation found in scripture. The Apostle Peter explained the meaning of this in II Peter 1:14-18 – “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain”. This event took place only 6 days after what Jesus had said in Matthew 16. “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves” – Matthew 17:1. This is the next event that Matthew records immediately following what Jesus said in Matthew 16:28. What Jesus said was right; some of those that were standing there would see Him in His kingdom glory. They were Peter, James and John. Jesus used the word – “coming” and so did Peter. The “power and coming” of Jesus that Peter wrote about was in reference to his experience on the mountain. Therefore, Jesus was referring to the same thing in Matthew 16:28 which was his transfiguration on the mountain and not his second coming. One translation renders it this way – “Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.” Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain” – Matthew 16:28-17:1. God bless you.