Come Be My Follower - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

“GO...ANDMAKEDISCIPLES” 89
that one also will do the works that I do; and he will do
works greater than these, because I am going my way to
the Father.” (John 14:12) Since the Son was returning to
heaven, his followers—not just the apostles but also all future
disciples—would have to carry on the preaching and
teaching work. (John 17:20) Jesus humbly acknowledged
that their works would be “greater than” his. How so?
In three ways.
6 First, Jesus’ followers would cover more territory. Today
their witnessing has reached the extremities of the earth,
far beyond the borders of the land where Jesus himself
preached. Second, they would reach more people. The
small band of disciples Jesus left behind quickly grew
into the thousands. (Acts 2:41; 4:4) Now they number
into the millions, and hundreds of thousands of new
ones are being baptized each year. Third, they would
preach for a longer period of time—right down to this day,
almost 2,000 years after Jesus’ ministry of three and a
half years ended.
7 Jesus was expressing confidence in his followers when
he said that they would do “works greater than these.”
He was placing in their hands a work that was of utmost
importance to him, that of preaching and teaching
“the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke
4:43) He was convinced that they would faithfully carry
out the assignment. What does this mean for us today?
When we zealously and wholeheartedly pursue the ministry,
we show that Jesus’ confidence in his followers was
not misplaced. Is this not a remarkable privilege?—Luke
13:24.
6, 7. (a) In what ways would the works done by Jesus’ followers be
greater than his? (b) How can we show that Jesus’ confidence in his
followers was not misplaced?