John 12:31-36

31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.

36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

now (v. 31) — Looking forward to the cross — this hour (v. 27). The result will be judgment and the casting out of Satan. Christ’s death condemned the world and sealed Satan’s fate. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:15). It is certain and therefore accomplished.

judgment (v. 31) — because they rejected and crucified Him

ruler of this world (v. 31) — Satan

lifted up (v. 32) — on the cross. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up (John 3:14).

all peoples (v. 32) — all who hear and believe. Eventually, all will acknowledge Him, although not all will be saved.

a little while longer (v. 35) — It was just a few days before He died. Then it would be too late for Israel as a nation (for the time being).

Christ remains forever (v. 34) — They were referring to Psalm 72:17; 89:4; 110:4; Isaiah 9:6-5; Ezekiel 37:25). They didn’t realize that Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 also referred to the Messiah.

Verse 36 marks the end of Christ’s public ministry.

The casting out of Satan was to be a gradual process. In the light of this verse [v. 31], and other passages (e.g. Hebrews 2:14-15), we believe that Satan’s hold over this world was broken at the Cross. The apostle tells us that Christ “spoiled principalities and powers, having made a show of them openly; triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15), and this statement, be it noted, is linked with His Cross! We believe, then, the first stage in the “casting out” of Satan occurred at the Cross, the next will be when he is “cast out” of heaven into the earth (Revelation 12:10); the next when he is “cast into the bottomless pit” (Revelation 20:3); the final when he is “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone” (Revelation 20:10). — Pink, page 273.

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