SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:12
¶ De cierto, de cierto os digo: El que en mí cree, las obras que yo hago tambin l las har; y mayores que stas har; porque yo voy al Padre.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 14:12
Verse 12. And greater works than these] The miracles which I have wrought could not have been wrought but by the omnipotence of God; but that omnipotence can work greater. And those who believe on my name shall, through my almighty power, be enabled to work greater miracles than those which l have ordinarily wrought. An impostor might seduce the people by false miracles; but he could not make his power and cunning pass to all those who were seduced by him: but I will give you this proof of the divinity of my mission and the truth of my doctrine. Perhaps the greater works refer to the immense multitudes that were brought to God by the ministry of the apostles. By the apostles was the doctrine of Christ spread far and wide; while Christ confined his ministry chiefly to the precincts of Judea. It is certainly the greatest miracle of Divine grace to convert the obstinate, wicked heart of man from sin to holiness. This was done in numberless cases by the disciples, who were endued with power from on high, while proclaiming remission of sins through faith in his blood.
Some account for the greater works thus: 1. The very shadow of Peter healed the diseased, Acts v. 15.
2. Diseases were cured, and demons cast out, by applying to the persons handkerchiefs and aprons that had before touched the body of Paul, Acts xix. 12.
3. By the word of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead, Acts v. 5, 9, 10.
4. Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind by the word of Paul, Acts xiii. 11.
5. Christ only preached in Judea, and in the language only of that country; but the apostles preached through the most of the then known world, and in all the languages of all countries. But let it be remarked that all this was done by the power of Christ; and I think it still more natural to attribute the greater works to the greater number of conversions made under the apostles' ministry. The reason which our Lord gives for this is worthy of deep attention: - Because I go unto my Father.] Where I shall be an Intercessor for you, that: -
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me , etc.] Having mentioned his miracles as proofs of his deity, he assures his disciples, in order to comfort them under the loss of his bodily presence, that they should do the same, and greater works; for we are not to understand these words of everyone that believes in Christ, of every private believer in him, but only of the apostles, and each of them, that were true believers in him: to whom he says, the works that I do shall he do also ; he shall raise the dead, heal all manner of diseases, and cast out devils; things which Christ gave his apostles power to do, when he first gave them a commission to preach the Gospel, and when he renewed and enlarged it: and which they did perform, not in their own name, and by their own power, but in the name, and by the power of Christ: and greater works than these shall he do ; meaning, not greater in nature and kind, but more in number; for the apostles, in a long series of time, and course of years, went about preaching the Gospel, not in Judea only, but in all the world; God also bearing them witness with signs and wonders, and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, ( Hebrews 2:4), wherever they went: though perhaps by these greater works may be meant the many instances of conversion, which the apostles were instrumental in, and which were more in number than those which were under our Lords personal ministry: besides, the conversion of a sinner is a greater work than any of the miracles of raising the dead, etc. for this includes in it all miracles: here we may see a sinner, dead in trespasses and sins, quickened; one born blind made to see; one who was deaf to the threatenings of the law, and to the charming voice of the Gospel, made to hear, so as to live; and one that had the spreading leprosy of sin all over him, cleansed from it by the blood of the Lamb yea, though a miracle in nature is an instance and proof of divine power, yet the conversion of a sinner, which is a miracle in grace, is not only an instance of the power of God, and of the greatness of it, but of the exceeding greatness of it: and the rather one may be induced to give in to this sense of the passage, since it is added, as a reason, because I go to my Father ; and upon my ascension the Spirit will be given, to you, which shall not only enable you to perform miracles, as proofs of your apostleship, and the doctrine you preach, but which shall powerfully attend the Gospel to the conversion of multitudes of souls.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-17 - Whatever we ask in Christ's name, that shall be for our good, an suitable to our state, he shall give it to us. To ask in Christ's name is to plead his merit and intercession, and to depend upon that plea The gift of the Spirit is a fruit of Christ's mediation, bought by his merit, and received by his intercession. The word used here, signifie an advocate, counsellor, monitor, and comforter. He would abide with the disciples to the end of time; his gifts and graces would encourag their hearts. The expressions used here and elsewhere, plainly denote person, and the office itself includes all the Divine perfections. The gift of the Holy Ghost is bestowed upon the disciples of Christ, an not on the world. This is the favour God bears to his chosen. As the source of holiness and happiness, the Holy Spirit will abide with ever believer for ever.
Greek Textus Receptus
αμην 281 HEB αμην 281 HEB λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP ο 3588 T-NSM πιστευων 4100 5723 V-PAP-NSM εις 1519 PREP εμε 1691 P-1AS τα 3588 T-APN εργα 2041 N-APN α 3739 R-APN εγω 1473 P-1NS ποιω 4160 5719 V-PAI-1S κακεινος 2548 D-NSM-C ποιησει 4160 5692 V-FAI-3S και 2532 CONJ μειζονα 3173 A-APN-C τουτων 5130 D-GPN ποιησει 4160 5692 V-FAI-3S οτι 3754 CONJ εγω 1473 P-1NS προς 4314 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM πατερα 3962 N-ASM μου 3450 P-1GS πορευομαι 4198 5736 V-PNI-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. Greater works. Not more remarkable miracles, but referring to the wider work of the apostolic ministry under the dispensation of the Spirit. This work was of a higher nature than mere bodily cures. Godet truthfully says: "That which was done by St. Peter at Pentecost, by St. Paul all over the world, that which is effected by an ordinary preacher, a single believer, by bringing the Spirit into the heart, could not be done by Jesus during His sojourn in this world." Jesus' personal ministry in the flesh must be a local ministry. Only under the dispensation of the Spirit could it be universal.
