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.
JOHN 14:12KJVWhat does John 14:12 mean?
John 14:12 says that anyone who believes in Jesus will do the same works he did, and even greater works, because Jesus is going to the Father. This means Jesus promises his followers will continue and expand his work after he leaves.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during his final conversation with them before his arrest. He reassures them that his departure is not the end, but the beginning of something bigger. The "works" refer to the acts Jesus performed—helping, healing, teaching—and "greater works" points to the wider impact his followers would have, especially after Jesus returns to God the Father.
The Greek behind John 14:12
- "Verily, verily" (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν, amēn amēn): This phrase is a strong way of saying, "Truly, truly," signaling that what follows is especially important and trustworthy.
- "Believeth" (πιστεύων, pisteuōn): This word means to trust or have faith in someone. Here, it highlights that the promise is for anyone who puts real trust in Jesus, not just the original disciples.
- "Works" (ἔργα, erga): This word means deeds or actions, especially those that show God's power and character. Jesus connects his followers directly to the kind of things he did.
- "Greater" (μείζονα, meizona): This word means "greater" or "more." The Greek suggests not just bigger miracles, but a broader, more far-reaching impact.
Why John 14:12 matters
- John 14:12 clears up the idea that only Jesus could do amazing things; it shows he expected his followers to carry on and even expand his work.
- This verse emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus as the basis for doing meaningful, lasting work in the world.
- John 14:12 connects to the larger passage where Jesus comforts his disciples, promising that his departure will lead to even greater things for those who believe.