Did Jesus Falsely Predict His Return?

On this episode of What within the Phrase?, Kirk E. Miller is joined by New Testomony scholar Jeannine Brown to discover one in all Scripture’s most difficult passages: Matthew 16:28. Did Jesus mistakenly predict his return? Collectively, they look at numerous interpretations—such because the transfiguration, the resurrection, Pentecost, the autumn of Jerusalem, and the second coming—and talk about probably the most compelling understanding of Jesus’s phrases. Tune in to realize readability and learn to apply and train this often-misunderstood verse.

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Episode visitor: Jeannine Brown

Dr. Jeannine Brown is the David Value Professor of Biblical and Theological Foundations at Bethel Seminary, the place she has taught for 25 years. She focuses her analysis on the New Testomony, hermeneutics, and integration. She is a member of the NIV translation committee.

She is married to Tim, and so they have two grownup daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Episode synopsis

The issue: Did Jesus make a false prediction?

In Matthew 16:28, Jesus says that a few of his disciples is not going to die earlier than they see the Son of Man “coming in his kingdom.” At first look, this verse may appear to counsel that Jesus predicted that he would bodily return throughout the lifetime of the apostles—one thing that, after all, didn’t occur. An analogous assertion in Matthew 10:23 intensifies the declare: “You’ll not end going by way of the cities of Israel earlier than the Son of Man comes.”

These statements elevate tough theological and interpretive questions. If Jesus was referring to his closing return, then both he was mistaken or not less than Matthew’s account is. This turns into a major concern, then, for these Christians who affirm the inerrancy of Scripture and the divinity of Christ.

How can we reconcile this stuff?

The context of Matthew 16

Jeannine Brown begins by strolling us by way of the encircling context of Matthew 16:27–28:

1. In Matthews 16:13–20, Peter rightly confesses Jesus because the Messiah.
2. In 16:21–23, Jesus articulates the cruciform nature of his messiahship, and Peter wrongly rebukes him.
3. In 16:24–26, Jesus explains that those that would observe this cruciform Messiah should likewise take up their crosses.

As Kirk E. Miller notes, Matthew 16:27–28 seem to pivot the dialogue abruptly to this point out of the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. However, as we’ll see, when learn in gentle of the broader narrative—Jesus’s path from struggling to glory—the inclusion of vv. 27–28 right here suits fairly naturally.

The important thing phrase: “Son of Man coming in his kingdom”

Many instinctively interpret “the Son of Man coming” (Matt 16:28; see additionally Matt 10:23) as referring to Jesus’s second coming, his bodily return on the finish of historical past. Nevertheless, Jeannine notes that this assumption must be examined.

To that finish, Jeannine and Kirk discover the next six interpretative choices.

1. The transfiguration

Some perceive “the Son of Man coming” to seek advice from Christ’s transfiguration in Matthew 17:1–13, occurring instantly after Matthew 16:28. The proximity of those textual content offers a powerful narrative and thematic connection. In response to this view, transfiguration is Christ’s coming in his kingdom in as a lot because it reveals and prefigures the glory of Christ’s future exalted state.

Solely three disciples—Peter, James, and John—witness Jesus on this glorified state, becoming Jesus’s assertion that “some” would see his kingdom earlier than their dying.

2. The resurrection

Others interpret Christ’s “coming in his kingdom” as a reference to his resurrection. Jesus’s resurrection embodies and inaugurates the dominion and on this sense is its “coming,” reflecting the already-but-not-yet nature of God’s kingdom. The resurrection serves as Christ’s climactic vindication and enthronement language (see Rom 1:4). This view is supported by Matthew 28:18, the place Jesus, after his resurrection, states, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

3. Pentecost & the approaching of the Spirit

Some see this “coming in his kingdom” as referring to the approaching of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). As Acts 2:33 exhibits, the pouring out of the Spirit evidences Christ’s enthronement and is an extra installment of his kingdom’s energy.

Nevertheless, since Matthew’s Gospel doesn’t itself embrace any reference to Pentecost (a Lukan theme), Jeannine and Kirk level out that it’s much less probably that Matthew supposed his viewers to make this connection, seeing Acts 2 because the success of Matthew 16:28.

4. The mission of the church

One other proposed interpretation sees this “coming” because the unfold of the gospel within the early church. For instance, Acts outlines the gospel’s development to all through the recognized world (see the programmatic assertion in Acts 1:8).

Whereas this view is believable primarily based on Acts and Paul’s writings, it once more lacks robust narrative cues in Matthew’s Gospel.

5. The destruction of the temple in AD 70

Many perceive Jesus to be referring to the destruction of the temple in AD 70. In response to this view, the destruction of Jerusalem is a divine visitation, Christ “coming” in judgment. And Jesus’s judgment upon Jerusalem right here acts as an expression of his kingship.

This view is supported by parallels in Matthew’s Olivet Discourse, additionally interpreted as referring to Christ’s coming to Jerusalem in judgment fairly than his future, bodily return. Particularly, the equal “Son of Man” and “coming” language is utilized in Matthew 24:30 together with an identical assertion in Matthew 24:34 that “this era is not going to cross away” earlier than these occasions happen. This implies that Matthew 24 and Matthew 16:28 seek advice from the identical occasion.

6. Christ’s bodily coming

Lastly, some interpret Jesus’s reference to his “coming” as a (false) prediction of his bodily return, one thing that didn’t happen throughout the disciples’ lifetimes. Interpreters declare Jesus was mistaken or attribute the error to Matthew.

Evaluate the distinct makes use of of ἔρχομαι and παρουσία in Matthew’s Gospel.

The significance of Daniel 7

To grasp Jesus’s language, Jeannine emphasizes Daniel 7:13–14.

First, in Daniel’s imaginative and prescient, this “coming” is an upward motion towards enthronement, not a downward return. One “like a Son of Man” comes to the Historical of Days (to not earth) and is given authority and glory.

Second, the Greek Septuagint of Daniel 7 makes use of the phrase ἔρχομαι for “coming,” the identical phrase Matthew makes use of in Matthew 16:28. In distinction, Matthew reserves the time period παρουσία (parousia) particularly for Jesus’s closing return (e.g., Matt 24:37).

Understanding this distinction helps resolve a lot confusion. The “coming” in 16:28, then, is finest learn not as Jesus’s bodily return to earth (what Matthew elsewhere designates παρουσία) however as his vindication, exaltation, and enthronement, because the allusion to Daniel 7:13–14 suggests.

A layered or “horizons” success

Jeannine proposes that Matthew 16:28 displays a layered or multi-horizon success. Fairly than predicting one discrete occasion, the passage refers to a course of, or installments, of vindication. Every occasion (the transfiguration, resurrection, coming in judgement upon Jerusalem, and many others.), in its personal method, reveals the Son of Man coming in energy and authority.

Decoding Matthew 10:23

We now briefly return to the parallel passage, Matthew 10:23: “You’ll not end going by way of the cities of Israel earlier than the Son of Man comes.” Jeannine situates this verse throughout the mission discourse addressed to the twelve disciples (Matt 10:1). It issues their ministry to Israel, not the Gentiles. The phrase then probably refers to an impending vindication occasion inside their lifetimes—once more pointing to the resurrection or the temple’s destruction.

Theological & sensible significance

Why does this passage matter?

• It affirms Jesus’s trustworthiness. He was not mistaken. When interpreted rightly, his phrases are true.
• It strengthens our Christology. Jesus is the struggling Messiah who’s vindicated by God.
• It reinforces discipleship themes. Following Christ means struggling now, however glory later. That is the Son of Man’s path. We observe in his footsteps.
• It encourages hope. Jesus’s vindication ensures our future glorification.

Kirk highlights how these themes resonate in texts like Romans 8 and Philippians 3. The church is known as to observe the crucified and risen Messiah, with confidence that God may also vindicate those that stay trustworthy.

Instructing & preaching suggestions

Kirk and Jeannine provide steerage for these preaching this passage:

• Don’t skip tough verses. Wrestle with them rigorously.
• Discover Previous Testomony backgrounds—particularly Daniel 7.
• Spotlight the motion from struggling to glory.
• Emphasize how Jesus’s vindication empowers our perseverance.

When taught effectively, Matthew 16:28 turns into not a legal responsibility however a wealthy useful resource for encouraging deeper confidence in Jesus’s—and by extension, our personal—id and mission.

Conclusion

Jesus’s assertion in Matthew 16:28 shouldn’t be a failed prediction however a theologically wealthy affirmation of his coming vindication. When learn by way of the lens of Daniel 7 and throughout the literary circulation of Matthew’s Gospel, the verse contributes to our understanding of the dominion, the id of the Son of Man, and the hope we’ve as his followers.

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Logos values considerate and fascinating discussions on necessary biblical subjects. Nevertheless, the views and interpretations introduced on this episode are these of the people talking and don’t essentially mirror the official place of Logos. We acknowledge that Christians might maintain totally different views on this passage, and we welcome numerous engagement and respectful dialogue.

Really helpful sources from Brown for finding out Matthew

Further really helpful sources on Matthew from Kirk

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