Sign in
JOHN 14:12 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 14:11John 14:13
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father — this is perhaps John's most stunning promise: believers will do Jesus' works, and even greater ones. The greatness of the works believers will do flows from Jesus' ascension (because I am going to the Father); once Jesus returns to the Father, he is no longer geographically localized but universally present through the Spirit in all believers. The works in view are not merely miracles but the gathering of disciples, the transformation of hearts, the building of communities of love that spread across the world.

Church Fathers on John 14:12

Having said, Believe for the works’ sake, our Lord goes on to declare that He can do much greater than these, and what is more wonderful, give others the power of working them. Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believes in Me, the works that I do, shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.

Chrysostom · 4th century

But what are these greater works? Is it that the shadow of the Apostles, as they passed by, healed the sick; It is indeed a greater thing that a shadow should heal, than that the border of a garment should. Nevertheless, by works here our Lord refers to His words. For when He says, My Father that dwells in Me, He does the works, what are these works but the words which He spoke? And the fruit of those words was their faith. But these were but few converts in comparison with…

Augustine · 4th century

This is an explanation of the doctrine of miracles. It is by prayer, and invocation of His name, that a man is able to work miracles.

Theophylact · 11th century
Read all 9 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!
John 14:12 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy