Has no one as ever heard the story of the wondering Jew? John asked something from the Savior that others did not and that was to tarry here on earth and continue to do the work of the Lord Jesus Christ until his return. Matthew 16:28 Christ said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” John 21:21–22 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John was the only apostle that was at the cross and the Savior looked to him to take care of his mother. John was the only apostle who never died a horrible death from his accusers. However, it’s not like they didn’t try.
I’m sure they tried to stone him, poison him, run him through with a knife and even threw him into a boiling caldron of oil with no effect. Emperor Domitian banished John to the Greek island of Patmos probably to avoid panic that he could not be killed. After Domitian died most of his decrees became null and void and John was released to continue the work. It is said by the Catholic Church that John took care of Mary while at Ephesus until her death around 54 A.D. it is also noted that John became the leader of the church after most all leaders had been put to death. A story about John has been handed down though the ages that when he was very old be began to wish he could die.
The Savior appeared to him and said, do you remember what you asked of me, that you desired to stay and tarry until my return? John replied and said, yes but how can I do it when I can’t get away from the people who constantly follow me? The Savior told him to tell everyone that you will die on the tomorrow. As the people of Ephesus gathered to say their final goodbyes to John, a bright light shown around him and when the light departed, all that was left was white fine powder.
So John was officially dead and he could now go about and continue to do the Lords work without interference. Many people claim to have seen him but have never been able to prove it. During the Middle Ages their was a legend of a minister called John who had been traveling throughout Asia. Their are other stories of a Roman Soldier who smacked Jesus in the face and was sentenced to walk the earth as well as someone who told Jesus, when carrying his cross fell and someone made a comment and told him to hurry up and move. The Savior said I move but you will keep moving until my return.
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After his resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. There he tells Peter: “If it is my will for [John] to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?” (John 21:1, 20-22, 24) Do these words indicate that the apostle John would outlive the other apostles? Apparently so, for he serves Jehovah God faithfully for almost another 70 years. However, there is more to Jesus’ statement The expression “until I come” reminds us of Jesus’ reference to “the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28) John remains until Jesus comes in that John is later given a prophetic vision of Jesus coming in Kingdom power. Near the end of John’s life, while in exile on the isle of Patmos, he receives the Revelation with all its amazing prophetic signs of events that are to occur during “the Lord’s day.” John is so deeply moved by these spectacular visions that when Jesus says: “Yes; I am coming quickly,” John exclaims: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”—Revelation 1:1, 10; 22:20. For more information and understanding of the Bible please see the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It provides free practical Bible advice about how we can cope with today’s problems and stresses. It also explains what Jehovah God’s purpose is for obedient mankind for the future. Agape Chris.
Brett Quinton Bowden
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Studied at Bible Schools (Graduated 2000)Upvoted by
Sherry Allchin
, M.A.B.C. Religion, Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary (2000)Updated 8mo
Wow, 50 answers already! Amazing how many people have no clue about the Bible but like to point out that it’s always wrong. I like the entertainment value though, it’s fun to see how many different opinions there are. And here is mine to add to that list!
Mark 1:14-15
[14]Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15]and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”Mark 12:34
[34]Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.Luke 10:9
[9]And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’Luke 17:20-21
[20]Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; [21]nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”John 3:3
[3]Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Romans 14:17
[17]for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.1 Corinthians 4:20
[20]For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.Many people think that the phrase “Kingdom of God” is only talking about a physical location, a place, otherwise known as heaven. And so the mistaken explanations of what Jesus meant.
If it’s a location then it must mean at the end of time when Jesus comes to rule, and the world is done away with, or at the rapture when Jesus comes on the clouds to fetch His children etc etc.
Not so.
These are definitely aspects of the kingdom, that is true. But that is not all it is, and that is not what Jesus is limiting the kingdom to.
For example, Jesus said that He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until He drinks it in the kingdom: Luke 22:15-18
[15]Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; [16]for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” [17]Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; [18]for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”This is definitely speaking about a physical appearance of the manifested form of the kingdom of God. A time when the kingdom of the earth is replaced with the kingdom of God, also known as the kingdom of heaven. One is taken away, the other replaces it.
But until then there are citizens of the kingdom of God living in the kingdom of the earth, waiting for the kingdom of God to come and replace the kingdom of earth.
We are known as pilgrims. Residents of another kingdom, with legitimate passports to the kingdom of God, while living out our lives in our current temporary home, the kingdom of earth.
That part is undisputed. Most people know this, or feel it in their innermost being even if they have not formulated the words.
But the kingdom, which Jesus had to explain to Nicodemus in John 3, can only be entered into or received by being born again. By accepting the sacrificial ransom on your behalf that Jesus paid. By admitting that without forgiveness for your sin you are lost, you are exempted from entry into heaven.
You receive the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, your passport of citizenship of heaven, while living on earth, so that you are accepted into the physical heaven at the appointed time. You have a seed placed within you of the kingdom of heaven. A stamp of authority. A letter of appointment to a post. You are translated on a spiritual dimension to a place where you are granted residency, while still remaining in the physical dimension of the kingdom of earth.
This kingdom of heaven was made open for us by the sinless, sacrificial death of Jesus at the crucifixion. It was not open to us before the payment was made. It was “near”. It was “within us” by faith, but we will only enter it physically at the appointed time.
How could Jesus say some standing there would not die until they saw Jesus coming in His kingdom?
Partly true, as a glimpse, during the transfiguration on the mountain which was only witnessed by Peter, James and John. But properly true when Jesus was resurrected and came to His disciples during the 40 days before Pentecost and met with them in His glorified form. He was no longer bound by physical boundaries and natural laws. He was resurrected into a glorified body that will never taste death again.
This was Jesus coming in His kingdom, in His glorified form.
It did not ever say that they would not die before they saw the actual kingdom itself, as Heaven. That comes later.
The disciples that saw Jesus in His glorified state were shocked at first. It was unlike the physical kingdom of earth that they all knew. It was a kingdom with different laws. It did not abide by natural laws of nature, as they were accustomed to. This glorified state was what they now knew they could expect one day when they left this earthly kingdom behind at death. They suddenly lost all fear of death. The scared disciples became the bold disciples. The love for this earth’s things became dung. The desire for heavens things suddenly became more of a reality, and more desirable, than this world things.
That was the kingdom that Jesus was talking about. They only had a taste of it, during those 40 days, but it was enough to transform them into a group of people who were no longer afraid of the future. They knew that no matter what they experienced on this side of heaven, it would never compare to what they witnessed through Jesus coming in the power of His kingdom after the crucifixion. The glory of God, the joy of heaven and peace that passes understanding.
That was what Jesus was talking about.
Bless you!
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Robert Gibbs
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Dedicated Christian minister (1974–present)2y
The key to understanding what Jesus meant is in the next verse, however in the book of Matthew the next verse seems disconnected because it is the first verse of the next chapter, but the book of Mark records his words and the next verse together. Jesus meant that some (Peter, James, and John) would witness a vision of him in his glory just 6 days later when they saw his transfiguration.
Mark 9:1–7 NW Furthermore, he said to them: “Truly I say to you that there are some of those standing here who will not taste death at all until first they see the Kingdom of God already having come in power.” 2 Six days later Jesus took Peter and James and John along and led them up into a lofty mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; 3 his outer garments began to glisten, becoming far whiter than any clothes cleaner on earth could whiten them. 4 Also, E·liʹjah with Moses appeared to them, and they were conversing with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus: “Rabbi, it is fine for us to be here. So let us erect three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for E·liʹjah.” 6 In fact, he did not know how to react, for they were quite fearful. 7 And a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.”
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“The wilderness and the dry lands shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” Isaiah 35:1
