Luke 9 27

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

Luke 9 27 Meaning

Luke 9:27 conveys an emphatic declaration from Jesus that some among His hearers would not experience physical death until they witnessed a significant manifestation of the Kingdom of God. This statement immediately precedes the Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John behold Jesus in glory, fulfilling one key interpretation of this promise. It speaks to the breaking in of God's sovereign rule and power, making evident the spiritual reality of His Kingdom to those present.

Luke 9 27 Context

Luke 9:27 immediately follows Jesus' teaching on discipleship, self-denial, bearing one's cross, and the warning that whoever is ashamed of Him will find Him ashamed of them at His glorious return (Lk 9:23-26). It also stands after Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ and Jesus' subsequent first prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Lk 9:18-22). This sets a tension: following Christ involves suffering, but this suffering leads to an eventual manifestation of His divine authority and God's Kingdom. The very next event described is the Transfiguration (Lk 9:28-36), where Peter, James, and John witness Jesus' glorious appearance alongside Moses and Elijah, affirming Jesus' identity and previewing His eschatological glory, thus providing the primary, direct fulfillment for "seeing the kingdom of God." This entire section shifts the disciples' focus from earthly messianic expectations to a cross-bearing, spiritual, and ultimately glorious Kingdom.

Luke 9 27 Word analysis

• But (Δεσ - De): Connects to the previous verse (Lk 9:26) which speaks of being ashamed of Jesus when He comes in His glory. This "but" provides a powerful contrast, signaling that before that ultimate return, a profound revelation of glory related to His Kingdom will be seen by some.
• I tell you truly (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν - amen legō hymin): An emphatic phrase often used by Jesus, underscoring the certainty and solemnity of what He is about to say. Amen signifies "truly" or "so be it," lending divine authority to His pronouncement. It draws attention and signifies a significant truth.
• there are some standing here (εἰσὶν γάρ τινες ὧδε ἑστηκότες - eisin gar tines hōde hestēkotes):
  • some: Indicates not all present, but a select group. In the immediate context of the Transfiguration, this refers to Peter, James, and John. It also speaks to the nature of God's revelation, often given to a chosen few first, before wider disclosure.
  • standing here: Refers to the physical presence of individuals in Jesus' audience at that specific moment. This clearly limits the scope of this particular promise to that generation.
• who will not taste death (οἳ οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου - hoi ou mē geusōntai thanatou):
  • not taste death: This is an idiomatic expression in Greek for "not to die." The double negative (ou mē) reinforces the certainty of not experiencing death for a particular period or before a specific event. It doesn't promise physical immortality, but a temporal suspension of death relative to the prophesied event.
• until they see (ἕως ἂν ἴδωσιν - heōs an idōsin):
  • until: Specifies a temporal boundary. The not-dying extends up to the point of "seeing."
  • see (ἴδωσιν - idōsin, from horao): This verb signifies more than mere physical sight; it denotes spiritual perception, experience, profound observation, and coming to know or recognize something as reality. It implies witnessing a demonstration or manifestation.
• the kingdom of God (τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ - tēn basileian tou theou): This central theme of Jesus' teaching refers to God's sovereign rule, reign, and redemptive activity, rather than merely a physical kingdom or geographical territory. Its "coming" (or "seeing" its arrival) signifies its powerful breaking into human history, already present in Jesus' ministry and increasingly manifest. It encompasses:
  • The Transfiguration: The immediate and direct fulfillment where Jesus’ divine glory, characteristic of the Kingdom, was powerfully displayed (Lk 9:28-36).
  • Pentecost: The pouring out of the Holy Spirit marking the new age, empowering the Church to manifest God's rule and power in the world (Acts 2).
  • Christ's Resurrection and Ascension: The definitive victory over death and sin, inaugurating His spiritual reign from heaven.
  • The fall of Jerusalem (AD 70): Understood by some scholars as a significant judgment and vindication of Christ, signifying the establishment of the New Covenant age and the decisive end of the Old Covenant system.
  • This "seeing" signifies witnessing God's powerful intervention and rule decisively manifesting within the lifespan of "some standing here."

Luke 9 27 Bonus section

Scholarly debate often centers on whether "seeing the kingdom of God" refers exclusively to the Transfiguration, or extends to other events within that generation, such as the resurrection of Jesus, Pentecost and the powerful birth of the Church, or even the judgment manifested in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The Markan parallel (Mk 9:1) "come with power" further supports the idea of a powerful, visible manifestation of the Kingdom, which could encompass all these events where God's active reign was demonstrably at work. Regardless of the precise interpretation, the verse underscores the breaking-in nature of the Kingdom of God during Jesus' earthly ministry and in the apostolic age, shifting focus from a purely future, apocalyptic kingdom to one that has already begun to unfold.

Luke 9 27 Commentary

Luke 9:27 stands as a potent and concise summary of a key aspect of Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God, asserting its near, tangible arrival for some. While diverse interpretations exist regarding "seeing the kingdom of God," the most immediate and universally accepted fulfillment is the Transfiguration (Lk 9:28-36). In this event, Peter, James, and John, representing the "some standing here," directly witnessed Jesus' divine glory, confirming His identity and anticipating His eschatological majesty. This served as a profound glimpse into the true nature of God's Kingdom, not just as a future event, but as a spiritual reality breaking forth through Jesus Himself. Beyond the Transfiguration, the verse finds extended fulfillment in the transformative events following Jesus' resurrection, particularly Pentecost, where the Kingdom's power manifested through the Holy Spirit's indwelling, empowering believers and establishing the Church. The phrase acts as an assurance to the disciples that despite the call to suffering and self-denial (Lk 9:23-26), they would indeed witness significant, visible expressions of God's sovereign reign and power within their lifetime. It is a powerful affirmation that the Kingdom of God is not just an ethereal concept but a dynamic, invasive reality initiated by Christ.