Joh 14:12, 16:20, 23, 21:18 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 12. And greater works than these ] The miracles which I have wrought could not have been wrought but by the omnipotence of God; but that omnipotence can work greater . And those who believe on my name shall, through my almighty power, be enabled to work greater miracles than those which l have ordinarily wrought. An impostor might seduce the people by false miracles; but he could not make his power and cunning pass to all those who were seduced by him: but I will give you this proof of the divinity of my mission and the truth of my doctrine. Perhaps the greater works refer to the immense multitudes that were brought to God by the ministry of the apostles. By the apostles was the doctrine of Christ spread far and wide; while Christ confined his ministry chiefly to the precincts of Judea. It is certainly the greatest miracle of Divine grace to convert the obstinate, wicked heart of man from sin to holiness. This was done in numberless cases by the disciples, who were endued with power from on high, while proclaiming remission of sins through faith in his blood. Some account for the greater works thus: 1. The very shadow of Peter healed the diseased, . 2. Diseases were cured, and demons cast out, by applying to the persons handkerchiefs and aprons that had before touched the body of Paul, . 3. By the word of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead , . 4. Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind by the word of Paul, . 5. Christ only preached in Judea , and in the language only of that country; but the apostles preached through the most of the then known world , and in all the languages of all countries. But let it be remarked that all this was done by the power of Christ; and I think it still more natural to attribute the greater works to the greater number of conversions made under the apostles' ministry. The reason which our Lord gives for this is worthy of deep attention:- Because I go unto my Father. ] Where I shall be an Intercessor for you, that:-

‏ John 14:12

Verse 12. And greater works than these] The miracles which I have wrought could not have been wrought but by the omnipotence of God; but that omnipotence can work greater. And those who believe on my name shall, through my almighty power, be enabled to work greater miracles than those which l have ordinarily wrought. An impostor might seduce the people by false miracles; but he could not make his power and cunning pass to all those who were seduced by him: but I will give you this proof of the divinity of my mission and the truth of my doctrine.

Perhaps the greater works refer to the immense multitudes that were brought to God by the ministry of the apostles. By the apostles was the doctrine of Christ spread far and wide; while Christ confined his ministry chiefly to the precincts of Judea. It is certainly the greatest miracle of Divine grace to convert the obstinate, wicked heart of man from sin to holiness. This was done in numberless cases by the disciples, who were endued with power from on high, while proclaiming remission of sins through faith in his blood.

Some account for the greater works thus: 1. The very shadow of Peter healed the diseased, Ac 5:15. 2. Diseases were cured, and demons cast out, by applying to the persons handkerchiefs and aprons that had before touched the body of Paul, Ac 19:12. 3. By the word of Peter, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead, Ac 5:5, 9, 10. 4. Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind by the word of Paul, Ac 13:11. 5. Christ only preached in Judea, and in the language only of that country; but the apostles preached through the most of the then known world, and in all the languages of all countries. But let it be remarked that all this was done by the power of Christ; and I think it still more natural to attribute the greater works to the greater number of conversions made under the apostles'

ministry. The reason which our Lord gives for this is worthy of deep attention:-

Because I go unto my Father.] Where I shall be an Intercessor for you, that:-

‏ John 16:20

Verse 20. Ye shall weep and lament] To see me crucified and laid in the grave.

But the world shall rejoice] The chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, and persecuting Jews in general, will triumph, hoping that their bad cause is crowned with success.

But your sorrow shall be turned into joy.] When ye see me risen from the dead.

It is very evident that our Lord uses the word world, in several parts of this discourse of his, to signify the unbelieving and rebellious Jews.

‏ John 16:23

Verse 23. Ye shall ask me nothing.] Ye shall then be led, by that Spirit which guides into all truth, to consider me in the character of Mediator in the kingdom of God, and to address your prayers to the Father in my name-in the name of Jesus the Saviour, because I have died to redeem you-in the name of Christ the Anointer, because I have ascended to send down the gift of the Holy Ghost.

‏ John 21:18

Verse 18. Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands] Wetstein observes that it was a custom at Rome to put the necks of those who were to be crucified into a yoke, and to stretch out their hands and fasten them to the end of it; and having thus led them through the city they were carried out to be crucified. See his note on this place. Thus then Peter was girded, chained, and carried whither he would not-not that he was unwilling to die for Christ; but he was a man-he did not love death; but he loved his life less than he loved his God.