1 He said to them, "Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with power."
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Verily I say - See the notes at Matthew 16:28. This verse properly belongs to the preceding chapter and the preceding discourse.
There be some - This verse properly belongs to the preceding chapter, and to the preceding discourse. It is in this connection in Matthew 16:27-28 (note). See the notes there.
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the (a) kingdom of God come with power.
(a) When he will begin his kingdom through the preaching of the gospel: that is to say, after the resurrection.
And he said unto them,.... Both to his disciples, and the multitude,
verily I say unto you, there be some of them that stand here; that were then living, and upon the spot,
which shall not taste of death, or die,
till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. When Jesus was declared both Lord and Christ, by the wonderful effusion of the Holy Spirit; the Gospel spread in the world both among Jews and Gentiles, in spite of all opposition, under the power and influence of the grace of God, to the conversion of thousands of souls; and that branch of Christ's regal power exerted in the destruction of the Jewish nation; See Gill on Matthew 16:28. This verse properly belongs to the foregoing chapter, to which it is placed in the Vulgate Latin version; and so it concludes one in Matthew, and ought not to begin a new chapter.
Here is a prediction of the near approach Christ's kingdom. A glimpse of that kingdom was given in the transfiguration of Christ. It is good to be away from the world, and alone with Christ: and how good to be with Christ glorified in heaven with all the saints! But when it is well with us, we are apt not to care for others, and in the fulness of our enjoyments, we forget the many wants of our brethren. God owns Jesus, and accepts him as his beloved Son, and is ready to accept us in him. Therefore we must own and accept him as our beloved Saviour, and must give up ourselves to be ruled by him. Christ does not leave the soul, when joys and comforts leave it. Jesus explained to the disciples the prophecy about Elias. This was very suitable to the ill usage of John Baptist.
Till they have been seen the kingdom of God come with power. Compare Matthew 16:28 and Luke 9:27. Matthew says, "Till they have seen the Son of man coming in his kingdom;" Luke, "Till they have seen the kingdom of God." A comparison shows that the reference is to "the coming of the kingdom in power" on the day of Pentecost. Of the twelve, one at a time was dead; the others had not tasted of death.
Till they see the kingdom of God coming with power - So it began to do at the day of pentecost, when three thousand were converted to God at once.
*More commentary available at chapter level.