Reading Matthew 16:27-28
27For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.28“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
What Jesus said here is quite sensational. It may shock you. Let’s take a closer look.
Mathew 16:24 gives us the context: He spoke these words to his disciples after seriously challenging them to follow Him in discipleship and soon after Peter’s great confession (Mat 16:18).
Son of Man. Jesus used this as a unique title and far more than any other, even the familiar ‘Messiah’ or ‘Son of God’. He was identifying Himself with Daniel 7. The disciples and Galileans whom Jesus lived among knew the Old Testament and understood that Jesus was referring to the book of Daniel (7:13-14). When Jesus used this title when making bold claims He didn’t need to explain it’s importance. It was because He claimed to be the Son of Man He was accused of blasphemy and condemned to death (see Mat 26:63-64).
going to come. Jesus told his disciples plainly He would very soon come again and that would mean the coming of the kingdom of God –see also Mat 10:23 and Mat 24:34.
in the glory of His Father with His angels. See similar use of words in Mat 24:30 and Mat 25:31.
repay every man according to his deeds. If you are a disciple take note! This fits the context.
truly: the original word is ‘amen’ which Jesus usually reserves to introduce a teaching which is likely to cause unbelief, shock and wonder in his hearers. When we read something Jesus introduces with this word we should sit up and listen very carefully.
some of those standing here: it is very important to note who is the audience and that it was not spoken to us today. Not all of this group but some would be alive at his return.
This passage gives the reader today a plain ‘either-or’ when interpreting how it it is fulfilled.
There are two possibilities What do you think? Which of these two do you believe?
- Jesus has fulfilled this extraordinary prophecy and his coming has already occurred
- some of that original audience hearing these words are still alive today!
The truth can only be one or the other—which is true?
This challenge also can be put like this:
If the entire original audience are not alive today, then Jesus has fulfilled it!
Ian Thomson 