This is a fascinating and often misunderstood statement that Jesus makes in John 14:12: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” At first glance, it seems impossible that anyone could do greater works than Jesus Christ himself! However, when we examine the context and meaning behind Jesus’ words, we see that there are reasonable explanations for how Christians can fulfill this verse.
The Context of John 14:12
First, it’s important to understand the context surrounding John 14:12. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion. He had just explained that he was going away to be with the Father and prepare a place for them (John 14:2-3). Naturally, the disciples were troubled by the news that Jesus was leaving. So he sought to comfort them by assuring them that they could still experience his presence and power even when he was physically absent. His statement about believers doing “greater works” comes in this context of reassuring the disciples that God’s work would continue through them after he departed.
The Meaning of “Greater Works”
What did Jesus mean when he said believers would do “greater works” than he had done? He was not suggesting that anyone could become greater than or surpass him. Rather, Jesus was referring to the scope of ministry made possible by his death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father. His physical ministry on earth was confined to a limited area and number of people. But through the Spirit-empowered witness of his followers, the gospel would spread across the world and impact many more lives.
The book of Acts shows this happening – thousands came to faith through the ministries of the apostles and early church. While the disciples did not possess Jesus’ divine nature or perform the exact same miracles he did, they were able to facilitate people coming into the kingdom of God in great numbers. In this sense, their combined ministry reached a greater scale than Jesus’ individual earthly ministry.
How Christians Do “Greater Works”
If we want to understand how believers can do “greater works” than Jesus, it helps to consider how the ongoing work of the church is greater in scope compared to Christ’s earthly ministry:
- The gospel has spread globally – Jesus physically ministered within the region of Israel, but his followers have taken the message worldwide.
- More people have become Christians – The number of people impacted by the gospel over 2000+ years far exceeds the number Jesus directly ministered to during his earthly life.
- Jesus is still ministering through his followers – Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, so in a sense Christ continues his ministry through their witness.
- The full impact is yet to be seen – The “greater works” will culminate one day with people from every tribe and nation worshiping the Lamb in eternity. The complete fulfillment remains future.
In summary, the “greater works” described in John 14:12 refer to the exponential increase in the scope and impact of Christ’s ministry made possible by the Spirit-empowered continuation of his mission through his church. The works are “greater” not because Christians will become greater than Jesus, but because they are equipped by him to carry his gospel worldwide and see more and more people saved.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
A key aspect of how believers can accomplish greater works is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit who would clothe them with power from on high (Luke 24:49). He knew that in themselves they did not have the capacity to extend his ministry globally. They needed the spiritual empowering of the Holy Spirit.
This same Holy Spirit comes to dwell within every follower of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9). Through the Spirit’s enabling, ordinary Christians gain supernatural power to be witnesses for Christ and see great fruit for their gospel ministry:
- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8)
- “Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says ‘Jesus is accursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
Church history confirms that when believers operate in the power of the Spirit rather than their own strength, the gospel advances in greater ways and more people come to Christ.
God Uses Ordinary People
Another way John 14:12 is fulfilled is that God uses ordinary believers to accomplish His greater works. Jesus chose common fishermen, tax collectors, and other laypeople – not the religious elites. And he empowered them through his Spirit to grow the church. The apostle Paul says:
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
This passage shows that God uses the weak and common things of the world to accomplish His greater purposes. He glorifies his name by using imperfect vessels. The expansion of the gospel and fulfillment of the Great Commission does not depend on earthly power or privilege. God uses ordinary Christians empowered by His Spirit.
United in the Body of Christ
We also must recognize that no Christian accomplishes the “greater works” alone. It is together as the body of Christ that believers reflect Jesus to the world and advance His kingdom in greater ways:
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
Every Christian is given spiritual gifts and has a role to play in the overall mission of the church. As we each use our gifts properly and work together in love and unity, the body is built up and able to reach more people (Ephesians 4:16). The greater works are accomplished not by individual Christians but by Christians fulfilling their part in the body.
In the Authority of Jesus’ Name
Finally, we must carry out greater works in the authority of Jesus Christ. It is only through his authority that believers have power in spiritual ministry:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:18-19)
As Christians operate under the authority of Christ, preach the gospel message, and see lives changed for eternity, they fulfill the greater works Jesus promised. These works magnify Christ when done according to his purposes, by his power, and for his glory.
Greater Works Point to Christ’s Greatness
A final reflection on this topic is that the greater works Christ enables his followers to do ultimately point back the greatness and sufficiency of Christ. As believers emulate Jesus and carry on his mission in new ways and places, this brings honor to him. The expanded impact of the gospel through Spirit-filled Christians results in more worship and praise for the One who set the whole process in motion. As people from “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9) become part of God’s kingdom, this magnifies the reign of the King, Jesus Christ. So ultimately, the “greater works” done in Christ’s name bring greater glory to him.