Jesus adds extra emphasis to his words. He uses the word Amen
(truly
) twice. It is clearly worth paying extra attention to what he is about to say. So, take notice! His disciples will do the same works as their Master. Yes, even greater works, Jesus assures them. This sounds truly incredible. What does Jesus mean here?
They had already accomplished great things. When Jesus had sent them out, they were able to cast out demons and heal the sick (Mark 6:13; see also Luke 9:1–6). But only Jesus could feed a crowd of 5,000 (John 6:10–13). And now they will be able to do even greater works than their Master? The disciples were asking, Lord, what do you mean by these words? And we, too, are left with questions. After all, we can never match what Jesus did, let alone achieve greater works. We come close to an answer when we consider what Jesus himself once said, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel
(Matthew 15:24). The reach of Jesus' words and works back then was limited to a small area. That will change. Soon—just before his departure to the Father in heaven—the disciples will hear from their Master, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations
(Matthew 28:19a). This will be their great task on earth. They will have to work far beyond Israel.
The disciples, upon hearing their Master's words, will be dazzled that they will do even greater works than he did. But we know that this really happened. In the space of a single generation, Jesus' work became known across half the inhabited world. At this point, their sphere of activity is therefore larger than Jesus'.
12 En vérité, en vérité, je vous le dis, celui qui croit en moi fera aussi les œuvres que je fais, et il en fera de plus grandes, parce que je m'en vais au Père;