Luke 9:27

In view of the following incident, the Transfiguration, the "some" in this verse appears to refer to some of the disciples, namely, Peter, John, and James (cf. Luke 9:28). The Transfiguration was a preview of the kingdom of God in which three disciples saw Jesus in the glorified state that will be His in the kingdom (cf. 2 Peter 1:16-18). Jesus’ reference to tasting death here connects with what He had just implied about the disciples possibly having to die for their testimonies (Luke 9:23-25). The introductory "but" implied that many disciples would die before they saw the kingdom. Jesus was anticipating His rejection (Luke 9:22) and the consequent postponement of the messianic kingdom.

Other views of what Jesus meant include His resurrection. However most of the disciples present probably saw Jesus after His resurrection, and that event did not initiate the messianic kingdom. Others believe that Jesus referred to Pentecost. Yet most of the disciples present saw Pentecost, and Pentecost did not begin the kingdom. Another view is that Jesus meant the destruction of Jerusalem, but that event did not initiate the kingdom either. A fourth view is that Jesus meant the disciples would simply live to see the inauguration of the kingdom. Still the messianic kingdom did not begin within the lifetime of any of those disciples. Another view is that the "some" are the people present who believe in Jesus and the others are unbelievers. The problem with this view is that unbelievers are not in view in the context, and the messianic kingdom did not begin during the lifetime of any of those disciples. People who hold these views have to redefine the messianic kingdom to include God’s present rule over His own. This view of the kingdom differs from Old Testament prophecies of it as an earthly reign of Messiah.