What is the meaning of John 12:31? now judgment is upon this world • Jesus speaks these words immediately after predicting His crucifixion (John 12:27-30). The “now” signals that the decisive moment has arrived. • At the cross, God renders a verdict on fallen humanity. As Jesus earlier declared, “Whoever does not believe has already been condemned” (John 3:18). That condemnation moves from future to present in Christ’s hour. • Light exposes darkness. Because “men loved darkness rather than light” (John 3:19), their rejection of Jesus confirms the world’s guilt. • The judgment is also a dividing line: ‑ Those who trust Christ “do not come into judgment” (John 5:24). ‑ Those who persist in unbelief remain under wrath (Romans 1:18; 3:19). • Crucifixion looks like defeat, yet it is God’s courtroom, pronouncing both guilt and the offer of pardon (2 Corinthians 5:19). now the prince of this world will be cast out • “Prince of this world” points to Satan, the personal adversary whom Jesus mentions again in John 14:30 and 16:11. • “Will be cast out” is certain. The cross disarms and expels the devil’s authority over those who believe (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). • The victory unfolds in stages: ‑ At Calvary, Satan’s claim on condemned sinners is broken (1 John 3:8). ‑ In every conversion, people are “rescued from the dominion of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). ‑ Ultimately, Satan is hurled into the lake of fire (Revelation 12:9-10; 20:10). • For the believer, this means: ‑ Freedom from accusation—“the accuser…has been thrown down” (Revelation 12:10). ‑ Authority to resist—“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee” (James 4:7). ‑ Confidence that the final outcome is already secured by Christ’s finished work. summary John 12:31 announces a double triumph fulfilled at the cross. First, God’s just verdict falls on a rebellious world, exposing sin and offering grace to all who receive the Light. Second, Satan’s power is decisively broken; the ruler of this age is driven out, guaranteeing ultimate victory for Christ and His people. |
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