Luke 9:27 kjv

But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:27 nkjv

But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:27 niv

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

Luke 9:27 esv

But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:27 nlt

I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God."

Luke 9 verses

Meaning

Luke 9:27 is a profound declaration by Jesus concerning the imminent manifestation of His kingdom's power. Following His teaching on taking up the cross and losing one's life for His sake, this verse provides a specific assurance to those standing with Him. Jesus asserts that some among His current hearers will not die before they witness a tangible display of the kingdom of God. This statement is most widely interpreted by biblical scholars as referring directly to the Transfiguration, which immediately follows in Luke 9:28-36, where Peter, James, and John see Jesus glorified in power, confirming His divine nature and the coming glory of His reign. Other interpretations connect it to the Resurrection, Pentecost, or the destruction of Jerusalem as further expressions of God's sovereign rule establishing itself on earth. The core message emphasizes the kingdom's present reality and future triumph.

Cross References

Context

Luke 9:27 stands as a pinnacle declaration following Jesus' rigorous teaching on discipleship. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus lays out the cost of following Him: taking up one's cross daily, denying oneself, losing one's life for His sake to truly save it, and warning against being ashamed of Him or His words in an adulterous generation (Luke 9:23-26). This challenging call to suffering and sacrifice sets the stage for a promise of glorious vindication. The very next event, only eight days later (Luke 9:28), is the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John witness Jesus' divine glory. This sequence strongly suggests that the Transfiguration is the primary fulfillment of the "seeing the kingdom of God with power" prophecy. The broader context of Luke 9 also includes the feeding of the five thousand, Peter's confession of Christ, and the first prediction of Jesus' passion—all foundational events revealing His identity and the nature of His mission and coming kingdom. The statement about not tasting death before seeing the kingdom assures the disciples that their suffering is not in vain, but leads to the manifestation of God's sovereign power and glory.

Word analysis

• But: Greek Alla (ἀλλά). Serves as a strong adversative, signaling a pivot or contrast. It sets apart this statement from the preceding sober warnings about the cost of discipleship (Luke 9:26), shifting from the demand for sacrifice to a promise of glory and divine confirmation.
• I tell you of a truth: Greek Legō de hymin alēthōs (Λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν ἀληθῶς). A solemn and emphatic declaration. It highlights the absolute certainty and reliability of Jesus' impending words, similar to His use of "Amen, I say to you." This phrase underscores the profound importance and truthfulness of the revelation to follow.
• there be some standing here: Greek eisin tines tōn autou hestekotōn (εἰσίν τινες τῶν αὐτοῦ ἑστηκότων). Refers to a specific subset of Jesus' immediate audience, not everyone present. This narrows the promise's scope, pointing to Peter, James, and John who were chosen to witness the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28), which is widely considered the direct fulfillment. It implies the event's imminence and the limited recipients of this direct preview.
• which shall not taste of death: Greek hoi ou mē geusōntai thanatou (οἵ οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου).
  • geusōntai (taste): Not merely a literal taste, but to experience or perceive something deeply. Here, it means to undergo the experience of physical dying.
  • ou mē: A strong double negative in Greek, emphasizing that the physical death of these individuals will certainly not occur before the promised event. The promise assures them of living to witness this specific manifestation of God's kingdom.
• till they see: Greek heōs an idōsin (ἕως ἂν ἴδωσιν). "Until they see." The Greek verb idōsin (from horaō) can denote literal visual perception, but also a more profound understanding, a vision, or a direct experience. In the immediate context of the Transfiguration, it refers to a visible, physical manifestation of glory.
• the kingdom of God: Greek tēn basileian tou theou (τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ). This foundational concept refers to God's active, sovereign reign, rule, and authority, rather than merely a geographic territory.
  • In the Gospels, the kingdom of God is portrayed as both a present reality, already inaugurated by Jesus' ministry and perceptible to faith (Luke 17:20-21), and a future, complete consummation at Christ's return.
  • "Seeing" the kingdom in this context means witnessing a powerful and undeniable display or manifestation of this divine reign and its inherent glory and power. The Transfiguration revealed Jesus in His true, divine, kingly glory, a tangible preview of His ultimate return and the full establishment of His eternal kingdom. The parallel accounts in Matt 16:28 ("the Son of Man coming in his kingdom") and Mark 9:1 ("the kingdom of God after it has come with power") further clarify that the "seeing" entails witnessing an authoritative, powerful, and visible manifestation.

Commentary

Luke 9:27 functions as a pivotal divine assurance, directly following Jesus' challenging call to self-denial and cross-bearing for His followers. It serves as both encouragement and a remarkable specific prophecy. Jesus declared that certain individuals among His current listeners would not die before experiencing a powerful manifestation of God's sovereign reign. The immediate and primary fulfillment is widely recognized as the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36), which occurs just eight days later. Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus transformed in overwhelming glory, conversing with Moses and Elijah, providing them with an unmistakable glimpse of His divine identity and future glorious kingdom. This pivotal event offered a crucial premonition of Christ's resurrection, ascension, and ultimate return in power, thereby preparing the disciples for the traumatic events of His crucifixion and fortifying their faith. More broadly, the verse alludes to the unfolding, dynamic nature of God's kingdom—it is already present and active through Christ, yet also progressively manifested through significant historical events (such as Pentecost and the growth of the early Church) until its full, glorious consummation at the Lord's return.

Bonus section

• Synoptic Connection: The presence of this striking saying in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matt 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27) underscores its critical importance to Jesus' teaching. While the precise phrasing varies slightly (e.g., "Son of Man coming in his kingdom" in Matthew, "kingdom of God after it has come with power" in Mark), these variations are complementary, enriching our understanding of what "seeing the kingdom" truly means – a powerful display centered on the King Himself.
• Reassurance Amidst Suffering: Situated immediately after Jesus' first clear prophecy of His own suffering and the call for His disciples to embrace their own crosses (Luke 9:21-26), this verse offers profound reassurance. It balances the stark demands of discipleship with the certain hope of ultimate victory and glory, confirming that suffering for Christ's sake is not futile but leads directly into the visible advance of God's reign.
• An Enduring Witness: The experience of the Transfiguration provided Peter, James, and John with an unparalleled vision of Christ's glory. This eyewitness account, as testified by Peter himself (2 Pet 1:16-18), served as a foundational pillar for their apostolic ministry, giving them irrefutable proof of Jesus' divine Sonship and future coming in glory, empowering them through persecution and doubt.