Now
The word "now" signifies a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Gospel of John. It marks a transition point, indicating the immediacy and urgency of the events that are unfolding. In the Greek, the word used is "νῦν" (nun), which emphasizes the present time. This immediacy is crucial as it underscores the significance of the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion and the subsequent impact on the world. Theologically, it highlights the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in real-time, inviting believers to recognize the present reality of Christ's victory.

is the time for judgment
This phrase indicates a decisive moment of divine action. The Greek word for "judgment" is "κρίσις" (krisis), which can mean a decision or a verdict. In the context of John 12:31, it refers to the impending judgment of the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Historically, this judgment is not just punitive but also redemptive, offering salvation to those who believe. It reflects the dual nature of Christ's mission: to save and to judge, separating light from darkness.

on this world
The term "world" in Greek is "κόσμος" (kosmos), which often refers to the fallen human system opposed to God. In John's Gospel, the "world" is frequently depicted as being in darkness and in need of salvation. This phrase indicates that the judgment is not just on individuals but on the entire system of sin and rebellion against God. It is a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the comprehensive scope of Christ's redemptive work.

Now the prince of this world
The "prince of this world" refers to Satan, the adversary of God and His people. The Greek word "ἄρχων" (archon) denotes a ruler or authority figure. In the biblical context, Satan is seen as having temporary dominion over the world due to humanity's fall into sin. This phrase acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare and the influence of evil in the world, yet it also foreshadows the defeat of this "prince" through Christ's sacrificial death.

will be driven out
The phrase "will be driven out" speaks to the ultimate defeat and expulsion of Satan's power. The Greek verb "ἐκβληθήσεται" (ekblēthēsetai) suggests a forceful removal or casting out. This is a prophetic declaration of victory, indicating that through Jesus' death and resurrection, the power and authority of Satan are decisively broken. It is a message of hope and assurance for believers, affirming that evil will not have the final word and that Christ's victory is complete and eternal.

(31) Now is the judgment of this world.--For the word "judgment" comp. Notes on John 3:17-19; John 16:11. There is here, following on the coming of the Greeks, which He reads as a sign, and upon the voice from heaven, which was a sign for the multitude, the thought of the Messianic kingdom, of which the first members were then present, and which was to comprehend all men. This thought includes--(1) the judgment (condemnatory) of this world; (2) the casting out of the prince of this world; (3) the establishment of His spiritual kingdom (John 12:32).

Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.--The title "prince of this world" was the regular Rabbinic title for Satan, whom they regarded as the ruler of the Gentiles, the Jews not being included in his kingdom. The reign of the true Messiah is over the Gentile and Jewish world alike; Gentiles as well as Jews are at this moment in the temple listening to Him; Jews as well as Gentiles have been subjects of the prince of this world (John 8:44; Romans 2). The world itself, as opposed to Christ, is condemned, for its unbelief crucifies Jesus Christ; but the Resurrection and Ascension are Heaven's witness that He is the Son of God. The world's condemnation is followed by the casting out of its ruler.

The whole future is present to the mind of Christ, and in the confidence of victory He uses the emphatic "now" of both the judgment of the world and the dethronement of its prince. It should be noted, however, that the tenses differ. The one is thought of as the immediate result of His death; the other is the gradual victory of truth, and is spoken of in the same future as the drawing all men of the following verse.

Verses 31-36. - 5. The judgment of this world. Verse 31. - Still more emphatically does Christ expound the heavenly voice, and vindicate for himself the most solemn position with reference to the world and its prince. The" world," or humanity evolving itself to the highest form of a complicated civilization, was present to him far more vividly than when the tempter showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. Instead of holding them in royal fee of the devil, and of compelling them to do his bidding, he declares that his hour, which had come, was an hour of judicial condemnation for the world. The corruption of the world, the radical injury done to human nature, starts out on its beautiful and decorated front like the leprosy did on the face of Naaman. Now is a judgment of the world. Observe, not κρίσις. This is compatible with the statements of John 3:17-19, and not inconsistent with the frequent references in John 5. to the "last day." Because John gives prominence to the great principles of judgment, and implies that the books of remembrance and condemnation are written all over indelibly by the hand of the world itself, there is no proof that the Lord (in John) says nothing of the great catastrophic judgments of which the synoptic Gospels preserve the prophecy. Our Lord has rather revealed (according to John) the principles which make the judgment of the great day credible. What a man has become at any epoch of his existence, what a nation is about at any crisis of its history, whatsoever act represents the spirit of the whole world, is in each case the judgment which God, by his providence, passes upon him or it. Still more impressively with a second, Now, he adds, shall the prince of this world be cast out. The phrase, "archon of this world," is a well-known later Hebraic phrase for "the ruler of the darkness of this world," the shir-olam of the rabbinical books, the angel of death, to whom was entrusted the rulership of the world outside of the sacred family. Christ declares that his own hour, in which the world and its prince would seem to be triumphant, would be the hour when he should be cast out of earth as he had been already cast out of heaven. This expulsion and destruction of the power and works of the devil was one great end assigned to the manifestation of the Son of God (1 John 3:8). It is important, however, to notice the difference of tenses. "Now is the judgment of this world," - this is the immediate result of his death; "Now shall the prince of this world be east out" describes the gradual victory of truth, which is pursued more explicitly in the next verse.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Now
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

judgment
κρίσις (krisis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2920: Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.

is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

upon this
τούτου (toutou)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

world;
κόσμου (kosmou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

now
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

prince
ἄρχων (archōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 758: Present participle of archo; a first.

of this
τούτου (toutou)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

world
κόσμου (kosmou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

will be cast
ἐκβληθήσεται (ekblēthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.

out.
ἔξω (exō)
Adverb
Strong's 1854: Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.


John 12:31 NIV
John 12:31 NLT
John 12:31 ESV
John 12:31 NASB
John 12:31 KJV

John 12:31 BibleApps.com
John 12:31 Biblia Paralela
John 12:31 Chinese Bible
John 12:31 French Bible
John 12:31 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world (Jhn Jo Jn)