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We know that hyperbole is used to make a point. For instance, if I say, If I've said it once, I've said it a million times..., yes, I am using hyperbole, but the POINT is that I have, time after time after time, said something or the other about a particular matter.If I say, It scared me so badly, I like to have died, that is hyperbole (perhaps), but the POINT is that I received a serious scare.So, that being said, IF IF IF Jesus was using hyperbole when He said greater works than these shall ye do, then what was the POINT He was seeking to make? It CLEARLY cannot be that that we would NOT do greater works, for that would mean He was lying--hyperbole or not--right?

For the record, I am neither OTCP nor QW Here's where knowing Greek is a benefit Aaron There are at least two different words for greater addressing the qualitative and quantitative aspects. Obviously, we are not going to do works that qualitatively exceed what Jesus did. How much greater than raising the dead and forgiving sin can you do???We can, however, do works that quantitatively exceed what Jesus did. His ministry was roughly 3 1/2 years, while you have 30+ more ahead of you. Think of how many more people you can reach and pray for during this 30+ years.There is NO hyperbole in this verse. And I do not know of a serious Johannine scholar who thinks it is. (I cannot say the same for Jn 21:25.)Keit

Aaron,I answered this very question when you asked it in the other thread. I believe your saying you want to know what my view is not just hyperbole, but is either a joke, a lie or both.

With not one ounce a antagonistic intent, Aaron, here goes:1. The point cannot be that an individual believer would produce greater miracles. It ain't happened in 2000 years so it ain't gonna happen now. Jesus would not have said it if it wasn't gonna happen. So it don't mean greater in intensity or type of miracle.2. Jesus vicariously suffered and died to provide salvation. Nobody else in the history of humankind could accomplish this. So he wasn't talking bout even equivalent miracles.

Quite Wyatt...

I'm sorry that you have such a low opinion of me. But, no, I'm not lying nor joking. If you addressed this in the way I have framed it, I don't recall it. Clearly, I remember you calling Jesus' statement hyperbole. What you didn't do, so far as I know, was explain WHY Jesus would use hyperbole when He could have simply said, for instance, You, too, will work wonders.

Keith has accurately...

assessed the issue regarding greater works.Used in the passage in question it is not hyperbole.It is comparative. The works the disciples so shall be greater than the works Jesus did - for the glory of the Father.Greater in what magnitude? Greater than scope, greater than intensity, greater in effect, greater in quality, greater in quantity? What we describe as miracles, John described as signs, and Jesus described as works, and the works He did He did because He watched His Father. He spent time with Him, knew His desires, His purposes, His intentions.To suggest the disciples did, should do, greater works is not demeaning but fulfilling the desire of Jesus. He wants His disciples to go forth and bring glory to the Father God-HonoringChrist-CenteredBible-BasedSpirit-Led

Bro, I am not trying to bait you or whatever. I SINCERELY wonder what you think the POINT of Jesus using hyperbole in the scripture would be.I don't recall you addressing that. I'm not trying to play gotcha either. I simply cannot fathom WHAT THE POINT WOULD BE of Jesus using hyperbole in that verse.