Command 49: Make Disciples
Study Question
Q: Jesus told His disciples that a disciple is not above his teacher and a servant is not above his master. Why, then, did Jesus later say to His disciples, “Greater works than these shall ye do; because I go unto my Father”? (See Matthew 10:24–25 and John 14:12.)
A: Before Jesus’s ascension into heaven, He instructed His disciples to go throughout the world and make disciples of all nations. He then explained how to do this: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).
This particular command is significant because it illustrates the essence of discipleship. A disciple must take the information that has changed his or her life and also teach it to others, who will in turn pass it on to even more people. Paul described this sequence of discipleship to Timothy: “The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2).
In John 14:12, when Jesus told His disciples that they would do “greater works” than He did, He was not referring to works of a greater quality or nature, but was emphasizing the fact that they would perform a greater quantity of works. Jesus’s earthly ministry lasted only three short years and was confined to Judea. During this time, He focused on the people of Israel and training 12 disciples. His disciples, however, would have an entire lifetime and a limitless mission field of the whole world, thus allowing them to do an even greater number of mighty works and make an even greater number of disciples.
This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 7, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.