Can we do greater works than Jesus ?
Many charismatic teachings use John 14:12 to claim we can surpass the power of Christ's miracles, but this interpretation often ignores the crucial distinction between the Creator and the created. This article dives deep into the biblical context of "greater things," explaining why Jesus was referring to the global scope of the Gospel rather than a superior level of divine power. Discover the vital difference between imitating Christ’s character and attempting to claim His divine nature.
The "Greater Works" and the Deity of Christ
There is a common claim often preached in charismatic circles that we, as believers, can do "greater things" than Jesus did. When taken out of context, this sounds like an attractive, empowering teaching, but it is far from the truth.
Let’s understand what this verse means in the context.
John 14:12 NIV "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
Not Greater than Jesus in Power
When Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing," He was not suggesting that every Christian would walk on water or raise the dead. While the Apostles in the Book of Acts certainly performed miracles—the lame walked, the blind saw, and the dead were raised—we never see an instance of an Apostle feeding five thousand people or raising someone who had been dead for four days.
As Christians, we receive spiritual gifts according to the will of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus mentioned "greater things," He was not referring to works that were greater in power. Think about this, How can any work be "more powerful" than the works of God Himself?
Greater in Terms of Works
Jesus meant that believers would reach far more people than He did during His earthly ministry. His ministry was mostly confined to Judea. But after His ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples took the gospel to the ends of the earth. When Jesus ascended, His followers numbered only in the hundreds. Yet soon after, in Acts 2:41, Peter preached one sermon—and 3,000 souls were saved. This is the “greater” Jesus promised: the explosive, worldwide growth of God’s Kingdom.
The Divinity Factor
I often hear the sentiment: "If Jesus did it, we can do it too." In a limited sense of yielding to the Spirit, yes. But we must be careful: Jesus is God, and we are not. Many of Jesus’ miracles were specifically designed to prove His divinity. Jesus said in John 5:36:
John 5:36 NIV “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me."
For example, Jesus walked on water. In the Jewish context of that time, the deep waters were often associated with the habitation of evil spirits. By walking on the water, Jesus demonstrated His absolute sovereign power over the spiritual realm. These "sign" miracles were meant to validate His identity as the Messiah.
Some take this teaching to an extreme, suggesting we can "become like Jesus." We can certainly become like Him in Character (sanctification), but we can never become like Him in Nature (deity).
As we interpret verses on signs and wonders, we must remember that we do not operate with the same inherent power that Jesus did, because He is the Creator. While I am not rejecting the reality of modern miracles or healing, we must maintain a humble perspective: Jesus is God, and we are merely His servants.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them."
- 1 Corinthians 12:27–31: Explains that we are the body of Christ, yet not all are apostles, not all are prophets, and not all work miracles.