And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 9:1) It is also written, “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) Aren’t these verses stating that Jesus would return within the lifetime of some of his disciples?

These verses are very often misinterpreted and not understood. Many people think that what is being said is that everyone who was present would perish except for a few who would live long enough to see the return of Christ. But if you read past Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27, you will see that what immediately follows is known as the Transfiguration which means transformed into something more beautiful or elevated. This is where Christ took Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain where not only Elijah and Moses appeared before them (Mark 9:4), but the Holy Spirit overshadowed them as a cloud and from the cloud the Father spoke (Mark 9:7). Truly this can be taken as some seeing the kingdom of God come with power.

Some also believe that what Jesus was foretelling was the arrival of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost which is recorded in Acts 2:1-4 and again foretold in Acts 1:8. The only problem with this verse is people’s misinterpretation of it.