Jesus Coming in His Kingdom (Off the Cutting Room Floor)

Technically, this isn’t off the cutting room floor. I wrote this for the blog because I won’t get a chance to address Matthew 13:28 in the sermon. It’s a curious statement that sounds like Jesus is saying that some of the disciples will be alive for the second coming.

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

I’ve not done a deep dive into this, but study Bible notes are very helpful on this one. One of the most comprehensive treatments is in the ESV Study Bible. I’ll share that below and then share what N.T. Wright concludes.

(ESV Study Bible) Matt. 16:28 Some of the Twelve who were standing there with Jesus in Caesarea Philippi would live to see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. This predicted event has been variously interpreted as referring to: (1) Jesus’ transfiguration (17:1–8); (2) his resurrection; (3) the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost; (4) the spread of the kingdom through the preaching of the early church; (5) the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in A.D. 70; or (6) the second coming and final establishment of the kingdom. The immediate context seems to indicate the first view, the transfiguration, which immediately follows (see also Mark 9:2–10; Luke 9:28–36). There, “some” of Jesus’ disciples “saw” what Jesus will be like when he comes in the power of his kingdom. This interpretation is also supported by 2 Pet. 1:16–18, where Peter equates Jesus’ “glory” with his transfiguration, of which Peter was an eyewitness. At the same time, interpretations (2), (3), and (4) are also quite possible, for they are all instances where Jesus “came” in the powerful advance of his kingdom, which was partially but not yet fully realized. Some interpreters think that Jesus is more generally speaking of many or all of the events in views (2) through (4). View (5) is less persuasive because the judgment on Jerusalem does not reflect the positive growth of the kingdom. View (6) is unacceptable, for it would imply that Jesus was mistaken about the timing of his return.

N.T. Wright cuts to the chase:

“Many people have been puzzled by these claims, for the simple reason that they have failed to see the significance of what happens at the end of the story. The phrases about ‘the son of man coming in his kingdom’ and the like are not about what we call the ‘second coming’ of Jesus. They are about his vindication, following his suffering. They are fulfilled when he rises from the dead and is granted ‘all authority in heaven and on earth’ (28:18).”

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