John 14:12–14
Bible Verses. Also called John 14:12-14, Greater works than these shall he do, Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, Greater works.
12 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.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Scripture quotation from the King James Version (KJV). Read this chapter
A passage in which Jesus says that whoever believes in him will do the works he does and "greater works than these shall he do," and promises to do whatever is asked in his name. Discussion centers on what the "greater works" are and on what it means to pray in Jesus' name.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
Context
In the Farewell Discourse, Jesus says that whoever has seen him has seen the Father, and he tells his disciples that if they cannot believe that he is in the Father, they should believe him for the very works' sake (v. 11). In verse 12 he then says that believers will do greater works, giving as the reason "because I go unto my Father." This "going away" is closely tied to the sending of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (14:16; 16:7).
Interpretation
- Greater in scale and scope: Many commentators understand the "greater works" not as miracles more astonishing than Jesus' individual miracles, but as the spread of the gospel throughout the world after the coming of the Holy Spirit, through which countless people receive life. Jesus' earthly ministry was confined to Palestine, whereas the ministry of the church reaches to the ends of the earth (Acts 2:41).
- A reading that includes miracles: Pentecostal and charismatic churches hold that "the works that I do" include healings and miracles, and so read the passage as a promise that believers can also perform such works through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- "In my name": A name signifies a person's character and authority. The common interpretation is that asking in Jesus' name is not a formula appended to the end of a prayer but asking in accordance with Jesus' will and authority. Interpreters often cite in support the purpose stated in verse 13, "that the Father may be glorified in the Son," together with 1 John 5:14, "if we ask any thing according to his will."
Controversies and Issues
Some ministers associated with the New Apostolic Reformation teach on the basis of this passage that in the last days the church will perform miracles greater than those of Jesus; mainline denominations and evangelicals criticize this as an interpretation taken out of context. Others caution that verse 14 should not be read as an unconditional guarantee that anything asked for will be granted. Conversely, some hold that the promise of answered prayer should not be weakened by hedging it with excessive conditions.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean Protestant churches, most prayers end with "I pray in the name of Jesus," and this passage, together with John 16:23–24, is frequently cited as the basis for the practice.
Related Passages
See also 6
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