Matthew 16:28 There be some standing here who shall not taste of death

Spoken to
Apostles

Jesus is discussing the nature of "Self" in the larger context of his death.

KJV

Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

NIV

Matthew 16:28  Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

LISTENERS HEARD

Ameni I tell you all that there are some of those here having stood who might never experience death until when they see the son of the man showing up in that realm of his.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The KJV and NIV translations make this appear to be a prophecy but nothing here is in the future tense.  The key verbs are subjunctive, meaning that they "might" happen at some time, past, or future. the Greek, this verse does not appear to be a prophecy about the future at all, but a statement about what happens when we die: we see Jesus in his realm. This makes more sense in the context of the previous verse, which is also less of a prophecy than it appears.

In Greek, this seems more like what happens when some of those "having stood" there die. The "standing" is an action completed in the past, not happening now. They see Jesus in his natural realm. In this context, the "having stood here" could mean anyone who has died.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
9
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "that" exists in our source today, but not KJV Greek source.
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "be" is translated as singular but he Greek word is plural, "are."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "of those" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "standing" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, "having stood."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is a double negative with the sense of "never."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "realm" is not shown in the English translation.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
10
  1. MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  2. WF - Wrong Form -  The "who" is a subject but a possessive, "of those."
  3. WF - Wrong Form -  The "are" is not an active verb but a participle, "having."
  4. WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "standing" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, "having stood."
  5. WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "might."
  6. CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" is a double negative with the sense of "never."
  7. WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "before" should be something more like "until."
  8. MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
  9. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
  10. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "realm" is not shown in the English translation.
EACH WORD of KJV

Verily -- The word translated as "verily" is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.

say -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.

unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object.

you,  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

missing "that"  -- (OS) The untranslated word is "that" here in the sources we use today and it introduces a statement of fact or cause.

There  - -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

be -- (WN) When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are." It is plural so "are."

some  - The Greek word translated as "some" is the plural version "anyone," "someone," and "anything." In the plural, it means "some," "they," and "those."

missing "of those"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. It is plural, possessive so "of those."

standing  - (WT) "Standing" is the noun form of the verb which means "to make a stand," "to set up," "to place," or "to stand." It is plural and the tense indicates an action completed in the past so "having stood."

here, - The word translated as "here" means in manner, "in this way," referring to the manner, or "here," referring to place.

which -- "Which" is a pronoun that means "that," "anyone who," "anything which," "whosoever," "whichsoever" and "anybody whatsoever." 

shall  -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate,

not  - (CW) The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying "you cannot really think." It is often translated as "never." 

taste  - "Taste" is a verb that means "to taste," "to feel," and "to experience." It is not in the future tense, but a form that is usually translated as the past tense but which means something happening at some specific point in time. It is a middle form, something people can only do for themselves.

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession. This form is required by the verb.

death,  - "Death" is from the Greek word meaning "death" generally and the death penalty specifically. Jesus only uses this word fifteen times.

till  - The word translated as "till" means "until" but it also means "in order that."

missing "when"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when" as a conjunction.

they  - -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

see  - The verb translated as "they see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." In th KJV, it is almost translated as many times as "know" as it is "see,"

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." 

coming -- The word translated as "coming" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the "kingdom" here.  It does not mean "into" indicating movement, which requires a different form of an object.

his  - -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

kingdom.  -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will. More about this term in this article.

EACH WORD of NIV

Truly -- The word translated as "truly " is from the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like a Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." See this article discussing this "amen phrase."

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the following verb.

tell -- The word translated as "say" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but it also means "to teach," which seems to be the way Christ uses it more frequently. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.

you,  -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is "that" here in the sources we use today and it introduces a statement of fact or cause.

some  - The Greek word translated as "some" is the plural version "anyone," "someone," and "anything." In the plural, it means "some," "they," and "those."

who  -- (WF) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. It is plural, possessive so "of those."

are -- (WF)  The form of the word is not an active verb ut a participle, a verb in the form of an adjective, "having."

standing  - (WT) "Standing" is the noun form of the verb which means "to make a stand," "to set up," "to place," or "to stand." It is plural and the tense indicates an action completed in the past so "having stood."

here, - The word translated as "here" means in manner, "in this way," referring to the manner, or "here," referring to place.

missing "which"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is a pronoun that means "that," "anyone who," "anything which," "whosoever," "whichsoever" and "anybody whatsoever." 

will  - -- (WW) This helping verb "will" does not indicate the future tense, but that the helping verb should describe a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate,

not - (CW) The "not" here is both of the Greek negatives used together. Greek has two negatives, one objective, one subjective. The use of both together is more extreme, like saying "you cannot really think." It is often translated as "never."

taste  - "Taste" is a verb that means "to taste," "to feel," and "to experience." It is not in the future tense, but a form that is usually translated as the past tense but which means something happening at some specific point in time. It is a middle form, something people can only do for themselves.

death,  - "Death" is from the Greek word meaning "death" generally and the death penalty specifically. Jesus only uses this word fifteen times.

before - (WW) The word translated as "before" means "until" but it also means "in order that."

missing "when"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "if might" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when" as a conjunction.

they  - -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

see  - The verb translated as "they see" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive." In th KJV, it is almost translated as many times as "know" as it is "see,"

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."

of -- This word "of"  comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English.  The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or  "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs. 

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples." 

coming -- The word translated as "coming" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time),  or "among"  with a dative object as the "kingdom" here.  It does not mean "into" indicating movement, which requires a different form of an object.

his  - -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.  This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

kingdom.  - -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will. More about this term in this article.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ἀμὴν (exclam) Verily is from amen, which is from the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek before the NT.

λέγω (1st sg pres ind act) "I tell" is from lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelt the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."

ὑμῖν (pron pl 2n dat) "You" is from humas the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

ὅτι (adv) Untraslated is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."

εἰσίν (verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "There be" is from eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible." )

τινες (pron pl masc nom) "Some" is from tis which can mean "someone," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."

τῶν (article pl masc gen) This is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." It connects to the "standing" after "here."

ὧδε [29 verses] (adv) "Here" is hode, the demonstrative pronoun which means "this" in the sense of "what is present" and "what can be seen." With verbs of action and with a person (its use here), it means "here" as in "here standing."

ἑστώτων [28 verses]((part pl perf act masc gen) "Standing" is histemi, which means "to make to stand," "to stand," "to set up," "to bring to a standstill," "to check," "to appoint," "to establish," "to fix by agreement," "to be placed," "to be set," "to stand still," "to stand firm," "to set upright," "to erected," "to arise," and "to place." Like the English words "put" and "set," it has a number of specific meanings from "to put down [in writing]," "to bury," "to establish," "to make," "to cause," and "to assign."

οἵτινες (pron pl masc nom) "Which" is from hostis, which means "that," "anyone who," "anything which," "whosoever," "whichsoever" and "anybody whatsoever."

οὐ μὴ (partic) "Not" is from ou me, the two forms of Greek negative used together. Ou is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. Mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.

γεύσωνται [4 verses](verb 3rd pl aor subj mid) "Shall taste" is from geuomai, which means "to taste," "to take food," "to make proof of," "to feel," and "to experience."

θανάτου [15 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Death" is thanatos, which means "death" "kinds of death," specifically, "violent death," "corpse," and "a death sentence."

ἕως (prep) "Till" is from heos which means "until," "till," and "in order that" and "up to the point that." -

ἂν (conj) Untranslated is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event.

Ἐὰν (conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event.

ἴδωσιν [166 verses](verb 3rd pl aor subj act) "They see" is from eido which means "to see," "to examine," "to perceive," "to behold," "to know how to do," "to see with the mind's eye," and "to know."

(article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

υἱὸς (noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child."

τοῦ (article sg masc gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

ἀνθρώπου (noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.

ἐρχόμενον (part sg pres mp masc acc) "Coming" is from erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.

ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."

τῇ (article sg fem dat)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

βασιλείᾳ (noun sg fem dat) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."

αὐτοῦ. (adj sg masc gen) "His" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."

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