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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"That at the least the shadow of Peter passing by," etc. This had not occurred in the history of Christ; but see here what He had told them actually coming to pass, that "they which believe on Me, the works that I do shall they do also; and greater works than these shall they do." Great faith, surpassing what had been shown in the case of Christ. How comes this? …
Cyril of Alexandria
If anyone should think to discourse hereon commensurately with the extent of the meaning of what is here submitted to us. the task would be broad and deep. But if we consider what is rather profitable for the hearers, we shall think it beseems us to grasp in general wise the things signified, and to curtail the length of our discourse. For so would the meaning be most easy to be received by most men. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Christ, showing that He can perform not only these works, but also others far greater than these, speaks of this with extraordinary power. For He does not say "I can perform works even greater than these," but — what is far more astonishing — "I can also give others the authority to perform works greater than these." Do you see how great is the power of the Only-Begotten? He gives others also the power to do works greater than those which He Himself did. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"And greater works than these shall he do." Than what, pray? Shall we say that one is doing greater works than all that Christ did who is working out his own salvation with fear and trembling? A work which Christ is certainly working in him, but not without him; and one which I might, without hesitation, call greater than the heavens and the earth, and all in both within the compass of our vision. …
Ambrose of Milan
Skillfully inserting here the word also, he has allowed us similarity and yet has not ascribed natural unity. The work of the Father and the work of the Son, therefore, are one.
Thomas Aquinas
After clarifying what he had said by appealing to the works he did by himself, our Lord now clarifies these things by the works he would do through the disciples. First, he mentions the works of the disciples; secondly, he mentions how they would do them, Whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do it. As to the first, he first mentions the works of the disciples; secondly, he states the reason for what he said, because I go to the Father. He says, Truly, truly, I say to you, and so forth. …
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