Will We Do Greater Works Than Jesus Did?

The Context of Jesus’ Promise in John 14

In John 14, 12, Jesus said that we would do even greater things than he did. But before you go trying to walk on the Sea of Galilee, there's something to understand about the context of this verse. On the night Jesus is to be arrested, he and his disciples are in the upper room where he is preparing them for what is about to take place.

And as he's speaking to them, he says, 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. Now this verse has been used to say that we will do greater miracles than Jesus did.

The Holy Spirit, the Great Commission, and the Spread of the Gospel

But that's not the point at all. Jesus comforts his disciples by telling them that though he is going to his Father, that's actually better for them because he's going to give them the Holy Spirit who will dwell inside of them.

Jesus was later arrested, tried, put to death on the cross, then came back to life. For 40 days he continued to preach, then before ascending into heaven, he commissioned his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching all that Christ had commanded.

Through the Holy Spirit, the gospel would spread out further than ever. In fact, at Pentecost, more people were added to Christ's followers in one day than during Jesus' entire earthly ministry. The more disciples, the faster and farther the gospel spread.

Greater Works as Evangelism, Mercy, and Compassion

And those are the kinds of greater works that Jesus was talking about. More works of evangelism, places to teach, and deeds of mercy and compassion than even.

He did.

Not Speaking Gibberish, but Preaching the Gospel Clearly

Not speaking gibberish or claiming to do healings that aren't real. That just draws attention to the self. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, clearly and accurately preaching the gospel, you also are part of that greater work when we understand the text.