Jesus starts this message with “truly, truly,” again stressing the importance of what follows.

“anyone who has faith in me” = Jesus is not talking about a casual, formal believer. This phrase stresses personal commitment. Jesus is speaking first of all to those disciples gathered around Him, but also to anyone who places complete trust in Him, even today.

The “greater things” Jesus speaks of has caused many a controversy in the church because of the potential meanings. What could possibly be greater than what Jesus did? Jesus said that we will do the things He had been doing, but also greater things. Is Jesus speaking of a larger quantity of works, or a higher quality? If it is a larger quantity, then His word was fulfilled as early as the Day of Pentecost. At the time of his death Jesus had converted about five hundred people (1Co 15:6), but at Pentecost the disciples converted three thousand in just one day (Acts 2:41), and what greater work is there than the conversion of sinners? Note also that the converts of Paul greatly outnumbered those of Christ. The followers of Christ have also been responsible for many miracles in His name over many centuries in various parts of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:6  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

Acts 2:41  Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

If it is a greater quality of work Jesus is referring to, then note that He had healed with the hem of his garment, but Peter with his shadow (Acts 5:15), Paul by the handkerchief that had touched him, (Acts 19:12), and which is greater, to feed five thousand by the miraculous multiplication of a meal, or the sacrifice of one’s own food to feed someone needier than them?

Acts 5:15  As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

Acts 19:12  so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

Whichever of the two, and it is probably a mixture of both, the reason we will do greater works than Jesus is because Jesus is going to the Father. That also brings up 2 reasons. Firstly, because Jesus is going to the Father, He will pour out upon us His Holy Spirit Who will enable us to do these works (16:7). Secondly, because He is going to the Father, He will not be here to do the works that must be done and that creates a need which can only be filled by those who believe.

John 16:7  But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.