What does John 14:12 mean?

Explanation

John 14:12 is a verse in the New Testament where Jesus is speaking to His disciples during The Last Supper, shortly before His crucifixion.

In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the profound connection between belief in Him and the capacity to do miraculous works.

When Jesus refers to "the works that I do," He is speaking of the miracles and teachings He has performed throughout His ministry.

Jesus promises that those who believe in Him will not only perform these same works but will also do even greater works.

The ability to do greater works stems from the reason that Jesus is going to the Father, His departure would initiate the sending of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of a new era in which the disciples would carry on Jesus' mission on a larger scale.

Historical Context

John 14:12 is part of the Farewell Discourse (John chapters 14-17), which is considered one of the most intimate and theologically rich sections of the Gospel of John.

This was a time when Jesus was preparing His disciples for His imminent departure from the world.

The historical context is crucial; it is the Passover period, a significant Jewish festival commemorating liberation from Egyptian bondage.

In this setting, Jesus was not only promising continuity of His ministry after His departure but also a greater impact that would come through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit after His resurrection and ascension.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, different Christian traditions have approached the "greater works" in varied ways.

Mainstream Christianity often interprets this promise as the continuation of Christ’s ministry through His believers.

The Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and most Protestant denominations believe this passage signifies the extension of Jesus' mission in the world through the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Some Pentecostal and Charismatic groups place particular emphasis on the miraculous signs and wonders aspect, suggesting a literal interpretation that true believers will perform miracles like and even beyond those of Jesus.

Reformed theologians might focus on the greater scope and impact of the works rather than their miraculous nature, arguing that the "greater" signifies the spread of the gospel to all nations and the building of the church age.

Practical Applications

The practical application of John 14:12 could be an encouragement for believers to step out in faith as they minister to others, trusting that the same power that operated in Jesus is available to them through the Holy Spirit.

This verse can inspire acts of service, evangelism, and missionary work, with an emphasis on trusting God for outcomes that might seem impossible by human standards.

It can also be seen as an encouragement for believers to pursue spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the glory of God.

Cross-References

• John 5:20: "For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel."
• John 14:16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
• John 15:8: "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
• Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
• Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Language Study

A linguistic analysis of John 14:12 reveals several key Greek terms:

• "believeth" (Greek: πιστεύων, pisteuōn): means to trust, to have faith in, or to be convinced of something.
• "works" (Greek: ἔργα, erga): in this context, refers to the miraculous deeds and teachings that Jesus performed.
• "greater" (Greek: μείζονα, meizona): a comparative adjective indicating that the works done by believers could be more significant in impact or scope than those done by Jesus.
• "because" (Greek: ὅτι, hoti): indicates the reason why believers will be able to do these works, because Jesus is going to the Father.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the spectrum of ancient myths and religions, figures who performed miraculous deeds often occupied a unique and unattainable place in their cosmologies.

The assertion in John 14:12 is unusual in this context, as it democratizes the ability to perform wonders, not reserving it for a divine or semi-divine figure but extending it to those who have faith.

In contrast, many ancient mythologies would have a hero figure through whom the divine worked and who was set apart from normal people.

Christianity, as presented here, blurs those lines, offering direct access to the divine power through faith in Jesus.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific community generally approaches the concept of miracles, including the "greater works" mentioned in John 14:12, with skepticism. Miracles by definition are events that are not explicable by natural or scientific laws and are therefore considered supernatural.

Thus, while individual scientists may hold personal beliefs about the possibility of miracles, the scientific method as it presently stands does not provide a framework for investigating or validating supernatural claims.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on John 14:12.

Some, like William Barclay, highlight the context of faith and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit as key to understanding this promise.

D.

A.

Carson notes that the 'greater' is not necessarily in terms of quality, since Christ's deeds were in themselves perfect, but relates to the greater extent of the Church's mission after Pentecost.

Others, like Craig S.

Keener, emphasize the historical fulfillment of this promise through the book of Acts and subsequent church history, as believers have indeed gone on to spread the Gospel and perform deeds of power throughout the centuries.