For
the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds. Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Matthew 16:27-28
Matthew 16 [22.] Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
Matthew 16 [23.] But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds. Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
Matthew 17 [1.] After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
Meaning:
Jesus had just told his disciples that he must suffer, be killed and rise again (Matthew 16:21). Then he called them to follow him on the same road: “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24-26). Why would anyone choose such a path? These two verses give the answer. The suffering Son of Man will one day come in glory, and every life will be weighed in his presence.
- “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father”
“Son of Man” was Jesus’ favourite title for himself. It comes from Daniel’s vision: “behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man,” to whom was given “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:13-14). The One who is about to be rejected and crucified is the same One who will return in the Father’s own glory. Jesus said the same before the high priest: “you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky” (Matthew 26:64).
- “with his angels”
The angels belong to him; they are “his angels.” They will accompany him as his servants and messengers when he comes to judge (Matthew 24:30-31). Mark adds that the Son of Man will be ashamed of anyone who is ashamed of him and his words, “when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).
- “and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds”
Jesus takes these words from the Old Testament. The psalmist said to God, “for you reward every man according to his work” (Psalm 62:12). Paul repeats it: God “will pay back to everyone according to their works” (Romans 2:6). In the last chapter of the Bible, Jesus says, “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).
Salvation is a free gift received by faith, yet our deeds show what we really believe. Those who lose their life for Jesus’ sake will find it. Those who gain the whole world and forfeit their life will find they have made the worst exchange of all. The coming judgment gives eternal weight to the choice Jesus has just set before his disciples.
- “there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom”
This promise has puzzled many readers, since all the disciples died before Jesus’ return. The best explanation is found in what happens next. Six days later, three of those standing there, Peter, James and John, saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain, his face shining like the sun (Matthew 17:2). They were given a preview of his glory and his Kingdom. Peter later wrote, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). Mark records the promise as seeing “God’s Kingdom come with power” (Mark 9:1). The disciples also lived to see the resurrection, the ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, when the Kingdom broke into the world with power. All these were signs and foretastes of the final coming.
The Significance of Matthew 16:27-28
- Live in the light of his coming
Knowing that Jesus will return and that everyone will give account changes how we live now. It gives courage to take up the cross and to choose faithfulness over comfort.
- Nothing done for him is lost
The promise of judgment is also a promise of reward. No sacrifice made for Jesus, however hidden, will be forgotten.
- The glory is real
The disciples saw a glimpse of Jesus’ glory. Believers today walk by faith, trusting their testimony and looking forward to seeing him as he is.
Cross-References:
Mark 9:1: “there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.” Mark’s parallel.
Daniel 7:13: “there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man,” The Son of Man in Daniel.
Romans 2:6: “will pay back to everyone according to their works:” Judgment according to deeds.
2 Peter 1:16: “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” Peter remembers the transfiguration.
Conclusion: Jesus ended his call to take up the cross with a promise. The Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory with his angels and repay everyone according to their deeds. Some of the disciples would see a foretaste of that Kingdom before they died, first on the mountain of the transfiguration. Living in the light of his return gives meaning to every sacrifice made for him.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible