Which verse in John 14 talks about doing greater works than Jesus?

John 14 is one of the most profound and comforting chapters in the New Testament. It is part of Jesus' farewell discourse to His disciples, where He prepares them for His imminent departure and reassures them of His continued presence with them through the Holy Spirit. The specific verse that speaks about doing greater works than Jesus is John 14:12. The verse reads:

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12, NIV)

This statement by Jesus is both astonishing and encouraging. It raises several important questions: What did Jesus mean by "greater works"? How can believers possibly do greater works than Jesus, the Son of God? To understand this, we need to delve deeper into the context and the broader biblical narrative.

The Context of John 14

In John 14, Jesus is speaking to His disciples during the Last Supper. He knows that His crucifixion is imminent, and He wants to comfort and prepare His followers for what is to come. Jesus begins by telling them not to let their hearts be troubled and assures them that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father's house (John 14:1-3). He then declares that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

Philip, one of the disciples, asks Jesus to show them the Father, to which Jesus responds by emphasizing His unity with the Father. He explains that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father (John 14:9). Jesus then makes the remarkable statement that those who believe in Him will do the works He has been doing and even greater works.

Understanding "Greater Works"

To understand what Jesus meant by "greater works," we need to consider several key points:

1. The Nature of the Works: Jesus performed many miraculous works during His ministry, including healing the sick, raising the dead, and feeding the multitudes. However, His works were not limited to miracles; they also included teaching, preaching, and demonstrating the love and compassion of God. When Jesus speaks of His followers doing "greater works," He is not necessarily referring to more spectacular miracles but to the broader impact of their ministry.

2. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Jesus explains that the reason His followers will do greater works is that He is going to the Father. After His ascension, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to empower and guide His disciples (John 14:16-17, John 16:7). The coming of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of a new era in which the presence and power of God are available to all believers, enabling them to continue and expand the work of Jesus.

3. The Scope of the Ministry: During His earthly ministry, Jesus was geographically limited to a relatively small area in Palestine. After His ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, His followers spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. The book of Acts records how the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, carried out miraculous works and preached the gospel, leading to the conversion of thousands and the establishment of the early Church (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4).

4. The Redemptive Work of Christ: The "greater works" must also be understood in light of the completed work of Christ. Jesus' death and resurrection accomplished the ultimate redemption for humanity. Believers, through their witness and proclamation of the gospel, participate in the ongoing work of redemption by leading others to faith in Christ. In this sense, the "greater works" include the spiritual transformation and salvation of countless individuals throughout history.

Examples of Greater Works in the New Testament

The New Testament provides several examples of how the early Christians carried out the "greater works" that Jesus spoke of:

• The Day of Pentecost: On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, empowering them to speak in various languages and boldly proclaim the gospel. As a result, about three thousand people were baptized and added to the Church in a single day (Acts 2:1-41). This event marked the beginning of the global spread of Christianity.

• The Ministry of the Apostles: The apostles performed numerous miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead, similar to the works of Jesus. However, their ministry also involved extensive teaching, preaching, and establishing churches across different regions. For example, the apostle Paul traveled extensively, planting churches and writing letters that continue to instruct and edify believers to this day (Acts 13-28, Paul's Epistles).

• The Expansion of the Church: The early Church grew rapidly despite facing persecution. The believers' unwavering faith and testimony led to the conversion of many, including significant figures such as the Roman centurion Cornelius (Acts 10) and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). The gospel transcended cultural and ethnic boundaries, fulfilling Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

The Ongoing Fulfillment of Greater Works

The promise of doing greater works is not limited to the first-century Christians; it extends to all believers throughout history. The Church continues to carry out the mission of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Here are some ways in which believers today participate in the "greater works":

• Evangelism and Discipleship: Sharing the gospel and making disciples are central to the mission of the Church. Believers are called to be witnesses of Christ, leading others to faith and helping them grow in their relationship with God. This work has a profound and eternal impact on individuals and communities.

• Acts of Compassion and Justice: Following the example of Jesus, believers are called to demonstrate God's love through acts of compassion and justice. This includes caring for the poor, advocating for the oppressed, and working towards the common good. Such actions reflect the heart of God and bring about positive change in society.

• Global Missions: The spread of Christianity to every corner of the globe is a testament to the fulfillment of Jesus' promise. Missionaries and Christian organizations work tirelessly to reach unreached people groups, translate the Bible into different languages, and establish churches in remote areas. The global Church is a diverse and vibrant community that bears witness to the power of the gospel.

• Personal Transformation: The transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers is a significant aspect of the "greater works." As individuals experience new life in Christ, they become agents of change in their families, workplaces, and communities. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—is evident in their lives.

Conclusion

John 14:12 is a powerful reminder of the incredible potential and responsibility that believers have as followers of Christ. Jesus' promise that those who believe in Him will do greater works is rooted in the reality of His completed work and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. While the specific nature of these greater works may vary, they all contribute to the ongoing mission of making God's love known in the world.

Believers are called to continue the work of Jesus, not in their own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. As they faithfully proclaim the gospel, serve others, and live out their faith, they participate in the unfolding story of God's redemptive plan. The "greater works" are a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the boundless reach of God's love.

May we, as followers of Christ, embrace this calling with faith and courage, trusting that God will work through us to accomplish His purposes and bring glory to His name.