What does Jesus mean by "some will not taste death" in Luke 9:27? Canonical Text Luke 9:27 — “But I tell you truthfully, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Immediate Literary Context Jesus has just foretold His suffering (9:22) and given the call to take up the cross daily (9:23–26). The saying of verse 27 is the climactic assurance that the divine plan will shortly be displayed in power to a select group of the very hearers of that promise. The Idiom “Taste Death” A common Second-Temple Jewish expression meaning to experience physical death (cf. Psalm 34:8; Hebrews 2:9). The assurance implies these listeners will remain alive to witness a particular revelatory event. “Some Who Are Standing Here” Identified Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 parallel the statement; all three writers immediately narrate the Transfiguration. The “some” are therefore the inner circle—Peter, James, and John—who alone will witness what follows “about eight days later” (Luke 9:28). Primary Fulfilment: The Transfiguration 1. Temporal proximity: Luke’s “about eight days” (v. 28) ties the promise to the event. 2. Kingdom visibility: On the mountain Christ’s face shines “like the sun” (Matthew 17:2), Moses and Elijah appear in glory, and the Father’s voice declares kingship (“My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him!” — Luke 9:35). This is a preview of the eschatological reign. 3. Apostolic testimony: 2 Peter 1:16–18 explicitly cites the Transfiguration as the moment the apostles became “eyewitnesses of His majesty,” confirming Luke 9:27. Secondary, Progressive Fulfilments Scripture often layers prophecy; additional milestones of kingdom manifestation fell within the lifetime of that generation. • Resurrection & Ascension (Luke 24; Acts 1:9): decisive victory over death and enthronement at the Father’s right hand (Acts 2:33). • Pentecost (Acts 2): the Spirit’s outpouring ushers in the new-covenant community, termed “the kingdom” (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:6). • Early church expansion (Acts 8–28): the gospel of the kingdom reaches the nations (Matthew 24:14). • Fall of Jerusalem, AD 70 (Luke 21:20–32): a judicial sign that Christ is reigning; Jesus states, “this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place” (v. 32). All these events occurred before many original hearers died, satisfying the literal sense without resorting to allegory or date-setting for the final parousia. Harmonization with Eschatology The Transfiguration supplies a foretaste; the Resurrection inaugurates; Pentecost empowers; the Church age extends; the Second Coming consummates. The promise’s grammar allows such an inaugural-consummative trajectory (cf. Isaiah 9:6–7; Luke 17:20–24). Patristic Witness Irenaeus (Against Heresies 4.20.6) and Origen (Commentary on Matthew 13.39) both interpret the saying chiefly of the Transfiguration, reflecting the earliest post-apostolic understanding. Theological Significance 1. Christ’s authority: He controls history and death itself. 2. Kingdom reality: Not mythic, but observable, rooted in space-time events. 3. Discipleship motivation: Suffering (9:23–24) is validated by future glory already glimpsed (9:32). Practical Implications for the Reader • Confidence in the reliability of Jesus’ words; fulfilled prophecy bolsters faith. • Urgency to submit to the King whose reign is already inaugurated. • Hope amid persecution, knowing glory is certain. Conclusion “Some will not taste death” in Luke 9:27 is first fulfilled in the Transfiguration witnessed by Peter, James, and John, and progressively in the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, and the early triumphs of the gospel—all within the lifetime of Jesus’ contemporaries—thereby verifying His kingship, the nearness of God’s kingdom, and the trustworthiness of Scripture. |
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