Matthew 16:28
What is written? (ESV)
Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.
What does it say?
I (Jesus) tell you a truth that some standing here now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
What is its immediate context?
Near the end of Jesus’ public ministry and six days before (17:1) the transfiguration of Jesus that was witnessed by Peter, James, and John. Jesus is preparing them for His coming death and kingdom. He had instructed them to pray to God that His “kingdom might come on earth, as it is in heaven” at the beginning of His ministry (Mt 6:10). Now He’s just told them that beginning with Peter, they would wield authority for the “keys to the kingdom of heaven” (vs 18). There are parallel accounts in Mark 8:31-9:1 and Luke 9:22-27. Also, Jesus uses a similar statement earlier when He sends the twelve out, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Mt 10:23)
How Matthew 16:28 is applied across Bible answers
Has Jesus already returned (Revelation 22:20)?
This statement recorded by Matthew is sometimes used to "prove" Jesus returned in the lifetimes of some of those to which He was speaking. However, He is referring to the establishment of His kingdom as a result of His first coming, not His second coming.
Only six days later, three of those present when He made this statement witnessed His transfiguration, or, "the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." Mark describes what they would see as, "the kingdom of God after it has come with power" (Mark 9:1) which even would extend their "witness" to the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Luke simply says they, "will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:27) Jesus confirms this again later when He says, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."[no repeater]
When did Jesus establish His kingdom?
Jesus told His disciples that at least some of them would witness His kingdom coming in their lifetime.
Some might conclude from Matthew's account alone that Jesus was saying that it was Him, personally/physically, that would be returning in their lifetimes. However, Mark (8:31-9:1) and Luke's (9:22-27) accounts each emphasize it is Jesus' kingdom that they would witness coming and further contextualize it around His pending death.
