The Transfiguration

[Ahwatukee]

Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

About eight days after Jesus said this; he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. - Luke 9:27-29
==========================================================
Many misinterpret the scripture above, interpreting it as though Jesus was saying that those who were standing there would not die before they saw the Lord return to end the age. This teaching is usually cited by preterist and Amilllennialists who have all or most end-time events and the Lord’s return to the earth, as having already taken place in or around the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.

First of all “those who were standing there, who would not taste of death” are identified in in the following verse as Peter, James and John, whom Jesus lead up to a high mountain.

Luke’s account is more revealing in that, after the Lord says, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God,” Then the very next verse says “about eight days after Jesus said this,” which links the previous verse with the following verse:

“He took Peter, James and John with him and went up unto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.”

Those who would not taste of death, which are identified as Peter, James and John, and their seeing the Lord in his glorified state was then the fulfillment of them not tasting death before they saw the kingdom of God, i.e seeing the Lord in his glorified state.

As further proof that the phrase “before they see the kingdom of God” as referring to the disciples seeing the Lord in his glorified state, we have this same phrase being used by the Lord in Matt.12:28 when the Pharisees had said that Jesus was casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, as seen below:

“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Obviously by the Lord, in saying to the Pharasees that “the kingdom of God has come upon you,” He was not referring to the end of the age, but that he was casting out demons by the Spirit of God, i.e. “the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

The last part of the verse, regarding those who would not taste of death, is stated three different ways in each of the gospels:

Matt.16:28 – “The Son of Man comng in His kingdom”
Mark 9:1 - “The kingdom of God come with power”
Lujke 9:24 – “The kingdom of God”

In each rendering, the meaning behind it is that, Peter, James and John saw the Lord in His glorified state, which was the fulfillment of those who would not taste of death before they saw the Son of Man coming in his kingdom i.e. seeing him in his glorified state.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

Matthew 17:3 - And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with Him.

Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets, the dead, and raptured Saints.

 

[Desertsrose]

It seems that got questions .org agrees with you.
https://www.gotquestions.org/not-taste-death.html

Luke 9:27 says, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." See also Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 for the parallel quotes. In each of the synoptic Gospels, the next event immediately after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration. Rather than interpreting Jesus' promise as referring to His coming to establish His kingdom on earth, the context indicates that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. The Greek word translated "kingdom" can also be translated "royal splendor," meaning that the three disciples standing there would see Christ as He really is—the King of heaven—which occurred in the transfiguration.

The "transfiguration" refers to the event described in the above cited passages when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of the mountain, where He met with Moses and Elijah—representing the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament—and spoke with them. The disciples saw Jesus in all His glory and splendor, talking with a glorified Moses and Elijah. This is a glimpse of what will occur in Jesus' kingdom. The disciples were dumbstruck at the sight and "fell on their faces" (Matthew 17:6).

It seems most natural to interpret this promise in Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; and Luke 9:27 as a reference to the transfiguration, which "some" of the disciples would witness only six days later, exactly as Jesus predicted. In each Gospel, the very next passage after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration, which shows Jesus in all His glory which will be seen again in the Kingdom of God. The contextual links make it very likely that this is the proper interpretation.

 

[Ahwatukee]

It seems that got questions .org agrees with you.
https://www.gotquestions.org/not-taste-death.html

Luke 9:27 says, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." See also Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 for the parallel quotes. In each of the synoptic Gospels, the next event immediately after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration. Rather than interpreting Jesus' promise as referring to His coming to establish His kingdom on earth, the context indicates that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. The Greek word translated "kingdom" can also be translated "royal splendor," meaning that the three disciples standing there would see Christ as He really is—the King of heaven—which occurred in the transfiguration.

The "transfiguration" refers to the event described in the above cited passages when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of the mountain, where He met with Moses and Elijah—representing the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament—and spoke with them. The disciples saw Jesus in all His glory and splendor, talking with a glorified Moses and Elijah. This is a glimpse of what will occur in Jesus' kingdom. The disciples were dumbstruck at the sight and "fell on their faces" (Matthew 17:6).

It seems most natural to interpret this promise in Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; and Luke 9:27 as a reference to the transfiguration, which "some" of the disciples would witness only six days later, exactly as Jesus predicted. In each Gospel, the very next passage after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration, which shows Jesus in all His glory which will be seen again in the Kingdom of God. The contextual links make it very likely that this is the proper interpretation.

Awesome! and Amen!

 

[Willie-T]

Gosh, and I was hoping the kingdom of God would be more than Jesus glowing and a couple of old prophets showing up on the top of a mountain.

 

[Locutus]

Don't give up yer day job OP.

 

[OneFaith]

Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

About eight days after Jesus said this; he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. - Luke 9:27-29
==========================================================
Many misinterpret the scripture above, interpreting it as though Jesus was saying that those who were standing there would not die before they saw the Lord return to end the age. This teaching is usually cited by preterist and Amilllennialists who have all or most end-time events and the Lord’s return to the earth, as having already taken place in or around the destruction of the temple in 70 AD.

First of all “those who were standing there, who would not taste of death” are identified in in the following verse as Peter, James and John, whom Jesus lead up to a high mountain.

Luke’s account is more revealing in that, after the Lord says, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God,” Then the very next verse says “about eight days after Jesus said this,” which links the previous verse with the following verse:

“He took Peter, James and John with him and went up unto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.”

Those who would not taste of death, which are identified as Peter, James and John, and their seeing the Lord in his glorified state was then the fulfillment of them not tasting death before they saw the kingdom of God, i.e seeing the Lord in his glorified state.

As further proof that the phrase “before they see the kingdom of God” as referring to the disciples seeing the Lord in his glorified state, we have this same phrase being used by the Lord in Matt.12:28 when the Pharisees had said that Jesus was casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, as seen below:

“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Obviously by the Lord, in saying to the Pharasees that “the kingdom of God has come upon you,” He was not referring to the end of the age, but that he was casting out demons by the Spirit of God, i.e. “the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

The last part of the verse, regarding those who would not taste of death, is stated three different ways in each of the gospels:

Matt.16:28 – “The Son of Man comng in His kingdom”
Mark 9:1 - “The kingdom of God come with power”
Lujke 9:24 – “The kingdom of God”

In each rendering, the meaning behind it is that, Peter, James and John saw the Lord in His glorified state, which was the fulfillment of those who would not taste of death before they saw the Son of Man coming in his kingdom i.e. seeing him in his glorified state.

Jesus is not the kingdom, He's the King of the kingdom. The kingdom is His church that He purchased with His blood. I am part of His kingdom.

 

[Locutus]

Luke is giving an abridged version of the account, we see in Mark that there was a "throng" that were being told "they would not taste of death":

Mar 8:34 (Young's Literal) And having called near the multitude, with his disciples, he said to them, 'Whoever doth will to come after me -- let him disown himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Epic fail...

 

[Bladerunner]

It seems that got questions .org agrees with you.
https://www.gotquestions.org/not-taste-death.html

Luke 9:27 says, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." See also Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 for the parallel quotes. In each of the synoptic Gospels, the next event immediately after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration. Rather than interpreting Jesus' promise as referring to His coming to establish His kingdom on earth, the context indicates that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. The Greek word translated "kingdom" can also be translated "royal splendor," meaning that the three disciples standing there would see Christ as He really is—the King of heaven—which occurred in the transfiguration.

The "transfiguration" refers to the event described in the above cited passages when Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of the mountain, where He met with Moses and Elijah—representing the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament—and spoke with them. The disciples saw Jesus in all His glory and splendor, talking with a glorified Moses and Elijah. This is a glimpse of what will occur in Jesus' kingdom. The disciples were dumbstruck at the sight and "fell on their faces" (Matthew 17:6).

It seems most natural to interpret this promise in Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; and Luke 9:27 as a reference to the transfiguration, which "some" of the disciples would witness only six days later, exactly as Jesus predicted. In each Gospel, the very next passage after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration, which shows Jesus in all His glory which will be seen again in the Kingdom of God. The contextual links make it very likely that this is the proper interpretation.

Well said:

 

[Ahwatukee]

Luke is giving an abridged version of the account, we see in Mark that there was a "throng" that were being told "they would not taste of death":

Mar 8:34 (Young's Literal) And having called near the multitude, with his disciples, he said to them, 'Whoever doth will to come after me -- let him disown himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Epic fail...

Hi Locutus,

"There are [some] standing here who will not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his glory."

Therefore, he was not talking about the entire throng. And as I pointed out, Peter, James and John were "those who were standing there" that saw Jesus transfigured into his glorified state.

 

[Ahwatukee]

Gosh, and I was hoping the kingdom of God would be more than Jesus glowing and a couple of old prophets showing up on the top of a mountain.

It was a phrase that Jesus used Willie. The kingdom of God is more than that, but Jesus used it in reference to Peter, James and John seeing him in his glorified state.

 

[Ahwatukee]

Jesus is not the kingdom, He's the King of the kingdom. The kingdom is His church that He purchased with His blood. I am part of His kingdom.

Hell OneFaith,

Regarding the use of the phase "the kingdom of God has come upon you" go and look at the other scripture that I provided when Jesus uses the same phrase in regards to casting out demons by the Spirit of God in Matt.12:28.

 

[Bladerunner]

Gosh, and I was hoping the kingdom of God would be more than Jesus glowing and a couple of old prophets showing up on the top of a mountain.

I would NOT have believed this to come out of your mouth Willie-T.......So SAD

 

[Locutus]

Read the whole context from Mark 8:34 and note "with power":

Mar 9:1 And he said to them, 'Verily I say to you, That there are certain of those standing here, who may not taste of death till they see the reign of God having come in power.'


Luk 21:20 'And when ye may see Jerusalem surrounded by encampments, then know that come nigh did her desolation;

Luk 21:27 'And then they shall see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud, with power and much glory;

All Points to the destruction of Jerusalem in the war of 66-70 AD.

 

[Ahwatukee]

Read the whole context from Mark 8:34 and note "with power":

Mar 9:1 And he said to them, 'Verily I say to you, That there are certain of those standing here, who may not taste of death till they see the reign of God having come in power.'


Luk 21:20 'And when ye may see Jerusalem surrounded by encampments, then know that come nigh did her desolation;

Luk 21:27 'And then they shall see the Son of Man, coming in a cloud, with power and much glory;

All Points to the destruction of Jerusalem in the war of 66-70 AD.

Go back and read the original post, as I include what each gospel says for that verse. One of them says, "until they see the Son of Man coming in his glory."

The very purpose that I created that thread was because of the ridiculous belief that Jesus was speaking about his return to the earth to end the age. You're not going to get me to change my understanding of this, because I know what it is saying. Here it is paraphrased for you:

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here, Peter, James and John, will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, which are those who would not taste of death, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light, which is what Jesus was referring to when he said "until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

The context has nothing at all to do with those people who were standing there that would witness the Lord returning to the earth to end the age. All that you are doing to the context is distorting it so that it fits your interpretation.