ANSWER: The passage, directed to the apostles, does not teach that they (or Christians today) would be able to exercise more or “greater” power than did Jesus when He walked on the water (Matthew 14:25), calmed the sea (Mark 4:39), and raised the dead (John 11:43-44). What “greater” power could there possibly be? Obviously there is none “greater” in this sense! The “greater works” then of John 14:12 must not be understood to refer solely to miracles, but to all of things that the apostles did (as directed by the Holy Spirit) to further the cause of Christ! Christ’s earthly ministry was limited to the area around Judea, but the “great commission” that He gave to them in Mark 16:15-16 was to go into “all the world.” Therefore, the works that were to be done by the apostles would be “greater” in scope. Also to be considered is that, after Christ’s return to the Father, His apostles would be able, as they went into “all the world,” to proclaim for the first time the “great” historical facts of His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension. The “greater works” of John 14:12 then must be understood with reference to the fullness of the message to be proclaimed, as well as the scope and effect of that message!