Is anyone alive who has seen Jesus Christ?

Question:

In the Gospel of Luke 9:27 it is written that some who were standing with Jesus would not taste death before they saw the kingdom of God. Did anyone survive from those who saw Jesus Christ?

Jesus’ words to His disciples, “truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” are also mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew and Mark:

“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28 NASB)

and:

“And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 9:1 NASB)

The words of the Lord Jesus refer to the event of the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus about which the apostle Peter writes in his epistle.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18 NASB)

The event of the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus mentioned in all three Gospels and in the second epistle of the apostle Peter followed shortly after Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

“Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen..” (Luke 9:28-36 NASB)

The two elements mentioned by Peter, “the power” and “the coming of the Lord Jesus” are associated with the Kingdom of God. If Jesus is referring to this event, then “some” who saw the power and glory of the Son of Man are Peter, James, and John who saw the glory of the Lord Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Why Jesus said that they would not “taste death” before attending an event that took place a few days later is unclear, but perhaps Jesus chose these words for those who were desperate to see the glory of God’s Kingdom during their lifetime.

Translated by Olya Trikolich