Was Jesus’ statement that “some who are standing here will not taste death” in Luke 9:27 (also Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1) incorrect?

Answer

Luke 9:27 states, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Also refer to Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 for similar quotes. Following this promise from Jesus in each of the synoptic Gospels, the subsequent event is the transfiguration. Instead of understanding Jesus’ promise as related to His coming to establish His kingdom on earth, the context suggests that Jesus was actually alluding to the transfiguration. The Greek term translated as “kingdom” can alternatively mean “royal splendor,” indicating that the three disciples present would witness Christ in His true form—the King of heaven—during the transfiguration.

The term “transfiguration” denotes the incident described in the aforementioned passages when Jesus brought Peter, James, and John to the mountaintop, where He conversed with Moses and Elijah—symbolizing the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. The disciples beheld Jesus in His full glory and splendor, conversing with a glorified Moses and Elijah. This event offers a preview of what will transpire in Jesus’ kingdom. The disciples were awestruck by the spectacle and “fell on their faces” «And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. », (Matthew 17:6).

It is most fitting to interpret the promise in Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; and Luke 9:27 as a reference to the transfiguration, an event witnessed by “some” of the disciples just as Jesus foretold, only six days later. In each Gospel, the immediate subsequent passage after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration, revealing Jesus in His full glory, a sight that will be witnessed again in the Kingdom of God. The contextual connections strongly support this interpretation.