John 14:12 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
Context = Foot washing
John 13:14 – “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
In John 14, Jesus is looking into the future, into the book of acts, expectantly prophesying over His disciples that they will be doing many mighty works more powerful than simply washing feet. But just in case Jesus is referencing something more, here is a complete list of Jesus’ works done before John 14:12 in order:
- Turned water into wine
- Healed a child’s fever
- Healed a disabled man
- Multiplied food (fed 5000)
- Walked on water
- Healed a man born blind
- Raised Lazarus from death
- Washed the disciples’ feet
It should be noted that the greatest work to ever be accomplished was when Jesus successfully completed His ministry journey with the sealed blood of His cross, which occurs after John 14:12. Notice how Jesus declared before His crucifixion that we would do greater works than these. No man will ever be able to do a work greater than what Jesus has completed on that accursed tree.
John 13:16 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”