OET interlinear YHN (JHN) 14:12

14:12a

Truly, truly, I tell you: The clause that the BSB has translated as Truly, truly, I tell you is more literally “Truly, truly, I say to you.” It introduces an important statement and means “pay attention to what I will say next.” See how you translated this clause in 13:21.

whoever believes in Me: This phrase is indefinite, and refers to anyone and everyone who believes in Jesus. Languages have many ways of expressing an indefinite idea. For example:

people/all who have faith in me

if you have faith in me (CEV)

whoever believes in me (NCV)

believes in Me: This phrase includes the idea of believing the facts about who Jesus was and what he did. But it also includes the idea of trusting Jesus instead of trusting oneself or someone else. Both ideas are very closely related. If someone believes the facts about Jesus, it should result in trusting him. See how you translated similar phrases in 1:12, 7:31, and 7:38. Here are other ways to translate this idea:

have faith in me (CEV)

trusts in me

will also do the works that I am doing: This phrase indicates that this person would do wonderful deeds like Jesus did.

the works: The Greek word that the BSB translates as works means “deeds” or “acts.” It is not the same Greek word as the word in the title of the New Testament book “Acts.” However the meaning is the same and using the same word might help your readers to understand Jesus’ meaning. These works would certainly include miracles, but could also include conversions and other loving acts. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

the miraculous deeds (NET)

the same things (CEV)

the same works (NLT)

14:12b

He will do even greater things than these: The phrase will do even greater things than these indicates that the apostles would do greater deeds than Jesus had done. There are several suggestions about how believers would do greater works than Jesus. It could refer to the fact that many more people would see God’s glory in them. Or many more people would hear the gospel, including Gentiles. These works could also be greater because the Holy Spirit would come and work after Jesus went to heaven. Or because Jesus’ saving work on the cross would be finished. The Greek text does not explain what greater things means, so you should not explain it in your translation.

In some languages it may be natural to start a new sentence here. For example:

They will do even greater things (GW)

even: The Greek word that the BSB has translated literally as even in this context it emphasizes the following idea. Use a form of emphasis that is natural in your language.

because I am going to the Father: This clause refers to Jesus going to God the Father in heaven. Then he would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit from heaven. The Holy Spirit will make it possible for believers to do these greater works. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

now that I am going back to the Father (CEV)

because I am going to be with the Father (NLT)

because I will go now to the Father

the Father: In some language it is more natural to tell whose father Jesus spoke about. For example

my Father

God, my Father