In the context of it writing.
Matthew 16:28

I take it as some will not see/experience death until Jesus comes. or Some may not come to Jesus until the last minute and it is obvious action needs to be taken.

If they are experiencing death at the appearance of Christ, the death mentioned in the passage must be referring to a spiritual death.

Is it about us or Jesus? Many ways to read into this. Could mean when and how Jesus will return.
I don't think it has much if anything to do about how long I or others may live or our spiritual lives versus our physical lives.

Brycer

I believe Jesus is speaking about the Transfiguration, which is the next event recorded in Matthew chapter 17.

There will be the unsaved still here after he raptures (?)
The saved up to be with him. They will have to go through the tribulations.

GRP,
That seems like a possibility, he is definitely speaking to his apostles.
Not sure if any of them had tasted death in the eight or so days in between.

Hear is another possibility.
It's a prophecy in Daniel 7


This could possibly align with the ascension in acts.
Ascending to the father in the clouds to the glory of his kingdom.

Another possibility could be, the Pentecost.
Jesus had told the apostles that he would send them a comforter.
He said I will come to you.

The people of His day mistakingly thought He was here to start a kingdom on earth and rule here on earth (e.g. Acts 1:6), but that was never the point (Luke 17:20-21, John 18:36). His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, starting with His death & resurrection & starting the church (Acts 2). Many of the people present in Matthew 16:28 were still alive and present to witness His resurrection and in Acts 2 when the church started.

Vary good point Kansas.

Another posabilaty. Matthew 16 : 27-28 is similar language to Matthew 24:34
Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all there things be fulfilled.

In Mark's version of these verses he says he comes with power.
This type of language was used in the old testament for judgment. God coming in the clouds with power.
In the parable of the Vinyard Jesus said that the kingdom would be taken from the husbandmen of the Vinyard and given to another Nation. Like Kansas said. A spiritual kingdom, the beginning of his church.

I think it means that if you are going to say that you are a Christian, then you had better own it. As He is the Truth, the end and the beginning, and the Life, and the Way..... so no other worldly things really matter.

I compare it to the 3rd Commandment. I think this is about ambassadorship rather than saying the GD Word or even blaspheming God. I think it is talking directly to the people that claim to follow Him and giving direction on what is expected if you decide to follow Him.

If you're looking at Matthew 24, I'd suggest you compare to Luke 21. As you say, keep in mind hte OT language for judgement. Also keep in mind they don't fully understand the nature of the kingdom. Jesus at times answers their questions truthfully without correcting their misunderstanding. It takes some work to sort it out.

In Luke's account, Jesus says the temple will be destroyed (v6), which they likely (falsely) interpreted as the end of the world. They responded with 2 questions in v7

His answer many interpret as describing the end of the world, but I'd suggest He's simply describing the end of Jerusalem & the temple (destroyed around 70 AD). In vs. 34-37 the message is very much: be on guard, pay attention, you will recognize this when it happens. History records the Romans encircled the city, briefly pulled back, the Christians fled the mountains (likely due this passage), then Romans came back and destroyed the city with most of the Jews still there.

With that explanation in mind, Matthew 24 becomes easier to parse.
V2 Jesus says the temple will be destroyed. But in v3 Matthew records 3 questions in response "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
They presumably thought they were asking the same question 3 ways, but I'd suggest the last is a very different question. The first 2 are are related to the destruction of Jerusalem ("these things" = temple being destroyed, "Your coming" = coming in judgement, also destruction of Jerusalem). But the end of the age (end of the world) is a very different question even though they likely thought it was all the same thing. Jesus answers the questions without clarifying their mistake.

Up through v35 is dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem (Jesus coming in judgement against the Jews). The tone though that remains "watch for it, be prepared". This loosely aligns with the message in Luke's account.

Then there's a curious shift in tone from v36 onward which I'd summarize as: it won't happen for a long time, people won't recognize it, they'll give up and be surprised when it happens. This fits the end of the world (end of the age) question that Matthew includes, but not luke.

Many denominations will say all of Matthew 24 is about the end of the world / second coming of Christ. But that doesn't fit the message they will reconigze it, and it will happen before they die (v34).


But if you notice the Matthew 24 has 1 extra question compared to Luke 21, it becomes very helpful to notice the common parts of the answers between the two accounts and the extra part of the answer in Matthew. If we assume the extra part of the answer (v36 on) goes with the extra question, the shift in tone (that might otherwise appear contradictory) makes perfect sense.

Kansas, this is how I understand Matthew 24 also .
Speaking of the distruction of Jerusalem 70AD, then the end of the world.

We tend to want to apply everything to us, instead of thinking about the actual circumstances faed by the ones he spoke to. Most did lose their physical lives by being his followers. But they also experienced what few ever did.

Love the conversations and scriptures men! To me - this is what church is about.........good honest discussions about what Jesus taught and teaches us. When He spoke of the Comforter coming to the disciples can you imagine when He commissioned them and sent them out saying - "greater things than these, you shall do". They had just witnessed miracle after miracle with Jesus and He spoke life into them telling them greater things...........they would do.
I firmly believe this still applies to us as believers and followers of Christ. He has not changed.

Yes skinner,
I agree, my understanding is that some will have lost there lives for Christ. But some will be alive still.
He is speaking to his disciples in the context of this passage. He has just warned them about the Leavening of the pharisees. He alo had told Peter that his understanding was from God to only warn him of the things he desired being from Satan. In the context of this passage I personally believe that it is speaking of the witnessing of the distruction of jerusalem and the temple. Matthew 21:42-43 Jesus saith unto them. Did you never read in the scripture, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner, this is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 43 Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 and whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but of whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Most of them thought that he would be their savior as a champion, not a person who would humble himself and die on a cross. When that happened they were confused until his resurrection. Then they began to understand his true mission.

I agree.

I also believe the confusion was necessary and intentional. If everyone understood early on, He wouldn't have been crucified (1 Corinthians 2:7-8), but He came be crucified (Matthew 20:28,Mark 10:45), so the misunderstanding was necessary until He accomplished his mission.