Why didn't Jesus' own prediction come true?

Question

Matthew 16:28 (NIV) "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Answer 1

Is it "ask stupid questions day"? I must have missed the memo. Carry on, my intellectually challenged friend.

Answer 2

Mark 9:1 offers a clearer version of this verse: "That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." This power was to come with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8) on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-4.)

In Matthew 3:2 we read of John the Baptist preaching that the kingdom was "at hand", or near. We know the kingdom was in existence in Paul's day. (Colossians 1:13) so the kingdom actually did come only a few years after Christ made that statement. We find in Matthew 16:18-19 that this kingdom is actually the church that Christ promised to build.

Answer 3

Some contend this verse, instead of ending chapter 6, should have started chapter 7.

To find a literal fulfillment we need only look to the next chapter (Matthew 17), where we find that the "some standing here" refers to Peter, James and John and "seeing the Son of man coming in His kingdom" refers to the transfiguration. This is confirmed by 2 Peter 1:16-18 where the transfiguration is said to be "the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The transfiguration was a marvelous preview of the Lord's future coming in His kingdom majesty.

Answer 4

The problem you have in reading your Bible is the fact that you don't read the content. The next few verses tell us that that He did show His apostles His coming in a glorified body. Matthew 16: 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew 17: 1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, Matthew 17: 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matthew 17: 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Answer 5

Didn't you ever hear of the Wandering Jew? A man showed up in Europe 400 years ago claiming to be the one Jesus said would wait for his return. It has been the subject of many literary works. My favorite is My First Two Thousand Years.

According to some teachings the Apostle John did not die. In the OT Enoch and Elijah did not die. So the religious basis for some one surviving preceeds Christ.

These things can't be proved unless the individuals come forward, but it leaves the prediction "open".

Answer 6

I know that this is very hard to understand, for I had trouble understanding it also, until I prayed for God to give me the understanding that I needed. But you and I both as well as many other people, have taken this verse literally, as referring to Christ second coming to the earth. But what Jesus is referring to here, is the coming of his Holy Spirit after He returns to Heaven. I believe that it was three of his disciples that got a little taste of what Jesus was referring to here at the time of his transfiguration. For when Jesus took them upon the mountain, they evidently had an experience which could not be put into words. For they evidently heard a voice of One whom they could not see. This story is in Matt. 17:1-8. The Bible tells us that Jesus and the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, are all one. And I know that this cannot be fully comprehended by our human minds. So all that we can do is to believe it. So when the Holy Spirit came from Heaven, it was also Jesus returning; but in a different form. I'm sorry, but this is the best explanation that I can give you. But you can rest assured, Jesus did not lie to his disciples; nor has He ever lied to anyone. What He said has been fulfilled; but through the Holy Spirit.

Answer 7

It is important to see when Matthew 16:28 was literally fulfilled. To find a literal fulfillment we need only look to the next chapter (Matthew 17), where we find that the "some standing here" refers to Peter, James and John and "seeing the Son of man coming in His kingdom" refers to the transfiguration. This is confirmed by 2 Peter 1:16-18 where the transfiguration is said to be "the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The transfiguration was a marvelous preview of the Lord's future coming in His kingdom majesty.

Answer 8

The kingdom of God came when Jesus went to heaven. Ever since the kingdom has been growing, and some day soon the Lord will meet His bride(the church) in the air so we can be with Him when the great tribulation takes place.

Answer 9

Do you have proof it hasn't come true? Many speculate that John may still be alive (either on earth or in heaven like Elijah) and may not die untill after Jesus returns. Also there has been speculation that one of the Roman soldiers is also still alive and roams the earth. Lastly he could have been talking of spiritual death

Answer 10

I am a believer, and a true searcher of the scriptures. I don't know the answer to that yet, as I asked God a few weeks ago about that. I will pray and study to find the answer and get back to you if and when I find the answer. I do believe that the bible is true and that it is NOT full of contradictions as some believe. The answer is in there; I just have to seek it. BTW, if you want to read the bible, get a real one: the Authorized Version (KJV) is the only English bible not based on corrupted manuscripts.

Answer 11

Also, Jesus FAILED to give the Jews the Kingdom of Spiritual. Why would the Son Of God Fail?