KJV: 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.
YLT: Verily, verily, I say to you, he who is believing in me, the works that I do -- that one also shall do, and greater than these he shall do, because I go on to my Father;
Darby: Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believes on me, the works which I do shall he do also, and he shall do greater than these, because I go to the Father.
ASV: 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 the Father.
Ἀμὴν | Truly |
Parse: Hebrew Word Root: ἀμήν Sense: firm. |
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λέγω | I say |
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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ὑμῖν | to you |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural Root: σύ Sense: you. |
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ὁ | the [one] |
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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πιστεύων | believing |
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: πιστεύω Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. |
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ἐμὲ | Me |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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ἔργα | works |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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ἃ | that |
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ὅς Sense: who, which, what, that. |
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κἀκεῖνος | also he |
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: κἀκεῖνος Sense: and he, he also. |
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ποιήσει | will do |
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ποιέω Sense: to make. |
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μείζονα | greater |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural, Comparative Root: μέγας Sense: great. |
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τούτων | than these |
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: οὗτος Sense: this. |
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ποιήσει | he will do |
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: ποιέω Sense: to make. |
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ὅτι | because |
Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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Πατέρα | Father |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: προπάτωρ Sense: generator or male ancestor. |
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πορεύομαι | am going |
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Singular Root: πορεύομαι Sense: to lead over, carry over, transfer. |
Greek Commentary for John 14:12
Emphatic pronoun εκεινος ekeinos “that one also.” Greater works than these Comparative adjective neuter plural from μεγας megas with ablative case τουτων toutōn Not necessarily greater miracles and not greater spiritual works in quality, but greater in quantity. Cf. Peter at Pentecost and Paul‘s mission tours. “Because I go” Reason for this expansion made possible by the Holy Spirit as Paraclete (John 16:7). [source]
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. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 14:12
Just before, John means, not twenty-four hours before, that is our Thursday evening (beginning of 15th of Nisan, sunset to sunset Jewish day), since Jesus was crucified on Friday 15th of Nisan. Hence Jesus ate the regular passover meal at the usual time. The whole feast, including the feast of unleavened bread, lasted eight days. For a discussion of the objections to this interpretation of John in connexion with the Synoptic Gospels one may consult my Harmony of the Gospels, pp. 279-84, and David Smith‘s In the Days of His Flesh, Appendix VIII. The passover feast began on the 15th Nisan at sunset, the passover lamb being slain the afternoon of 14th Nisan. There seems no real doubt that this meal in John 13:1-30 is the real passover meal described by the Synoptics also (Mark 14:18-21; Matthew 26:21-25; Luke 22:21-23), followed by the institution of the Lord‘s Supper. Thus understood John 13:1 here serves as an introduction to the great esoteric teaching of Christ to the apostles (John 13:2-17:26), called by Barnas Sears The Heart of Christ. This phrase goes with the principal verb ηγαπησεν ēgapēsen (loved). Knowing Second perfect active participle, emphasizing the full consciousness of Christ. He was not stumbling into the dark as he faced “his hour” See John 18:4; John 19:28 for other examples of the insight and foresight (Bernard) of Jesus concerning his death. See on John 12:23 for use before by Jesus. That he should depart Sub-final use of ινα hina with second aorist active subjunctive of μεταβαινω metabainō old word, to go from one place to another, here (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14) to go from this world (John 8:23) back to the Father from whom he had come (John 14:12, John 14:28; John 16:10, John 16:28; John 17:5). His own which were in the world His own disciples (John 17:6, John 17:9, John 17:11), those left in the world when he goes to the Father, not the Jews as in John 1:11. See Acts 4:23; 1 Timothy 5:8 for the idiom. John pictures here the outgoing of Christ‘s very heart‘s love (chs. John 13-17) towards these men whom he had chosen and whom he loved “unto the end” (εις τελος eis telos) as in Matthew 10:22; Luke 18:15, but here as in 1 Thessalonians 2:16 rather “to the uttermost.” The culmination of the crisis (“his hour”) naturally drew out the fulness of Christ‘s love for them as is shown in these great chapters (John 13-17). [source]
Indefinite relative clause with οτι hoti (neuter accusative singular of οστις hostis), αν an and the aorist active subjunctive of αιτεω aiteō This is an advance thought over John 14:12. In my name First mention of his “name” as the open sesame to the Father‘s will. See also John 14:26; John 15:16; John 16:23, John 16:24, John 16:26. That will I do The Father answers prayers (John 15:16; John 16:23), but so does the Son (here and John 14:14). The purpose (ινα hina clause with first aorist passive subjunctive of δοχαζω doxazō) is “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Plead Christ‘s name in prayer to the Father. [source]
If ye loved me Second-class condition with the imperfect active of αγαπαω agapaō referring to present time, implying that the disciples are not loving Jesus as they should. Ye would have rejoiced Second aorist passive indicative of χαιρω chairō with αν an conclusion of second-class condition referring to past time, “Ye would already have rejoiced before this” at Christ‘s going to the Father (John 14:12). Greater than I Ablative case μου mou after the comparative μειζων meizōn (from positive μεγας megas). The filial relation makes this necessary. Not a distinction in nature or essence (cf. John 10:30), but in rank in the Trinity. No Arianism or Unitarianism here. The very explanation here is proof of the deity of the Son (Dods). [source]
Note adversative use of και kai (= but these). I come Futuristic present, “I am coming.” Cf. John 13:3; John 14:12; John 17:13. Christ will no longer be visibly present to the world, but he will be with the believers through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:20). Holy Father Only here in the N.T., but see 1 John 2:20; Luke 1:49 for the holiness of God, a thoroughly Jewish conception. See John 6:69 where Peter calls Jesus ο αγιος του τεου ho hagios tou theou For the word applied to saints see Acts 9:13. See John 17:25 for πατηρ δικαιε patēr dikaie (Righteous Father). Keep them First aorist (constative) active imperative of τηρεω tēreō as now specially needing the Father‘s care with Jesus gone (urgency of the aorist tense in prayer). Which Locative case of the neuter relative singular, attracted from the accusative ο ho to the case of the antecedent ονοματι onomati (name). That they may be one Purpose clause with ινα hina and the present active subjunctive of ειμι eimi (that they may keep on being). Oneness of will and spirit This is Christ‘s prayer for all believers, for unity, not for organic union of which we hear so much. The disciples had union, but lacked unity or oneness of spirit as was shown this very evening at the supper (Luke 22:24; John 13:4-15). Jesus offers the unity in the Trinity (three persons, but one God) as the model for believers. The witness of the disciples will fail without harmony (John 17:21). [source]
In John 3:35 we have αγαπαι agapāi from αγαπαω agapaō evidently one verb expressing as noble a love as the other. Sometimes a distinction (John 21:17) is made, but not here, unless πιλεω phileō presents the notion of intimate friendship Τουτων Toutōn is ablative case after the comparative μειζονα meizona (from μεγας megas great). John often uses εργα erga for the miracles of Christ (John 5:36; John 7:3, John 7:21; John 10:25, John 10:32, John 10:38, etc.). It is the Father who does these works (John 14:10). There is more to follow. Even the disciples will surpass what Christ is doing in the extent of the work (John 14:12). Δειχει Deixei is future active indicative of δεικνυμι deiknumi to show. See also John 10:32. That ye may marvel Purpose clause with ινα hina and present active subjunctive of ταυμαζω thaumazō Wonder belongs to childhood and to men of knowledge. Modern science has increased the occasion for wonder. Clement of Alexandria has a saying of Jesus: “He that wonders shall reign, and he that reigns shall rest.” [source]
Indefinite relative clause with modal αν an and the present active subjunctive, like οτι εαν καταγινωσκηι hoti ean kataginōskēi in 1 John 3:20. In form no limitations are placed here save that of complete fellowship with God, which means complete surrender of our will to that of God our Father. See the clear teaching of Jesus on this subject in Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; John 14:12.; John 16:23 and his example (Mark 14:36; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42). The answer may not always be in the form that we expect, but it will be better. [source]
Purpose clause again with ινα hina and the present active subjunctive of ποιεω poieō and the object infinitive of καταβαινω katabainō after ποιει poiei Christ promised great signs to the disciples (John 14:12), but he also warned them against false prophets and false christs with their signs and wonders (Mark 13:22). So also Paul had pictured the power of the man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Elijah had called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10) and James and John had once even urged Jesus to do this miracle (Luke 9:54). [source]