John Calvin Commentary John 12:31

"Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." — John 12:31 (ASV)

Now is the judgment of this world. The Lord now, as if he had already succeeded in the contest, boasts of having obtained a victory not only over fear but also over death, for he describes in lofty terms the advantage of his death, which might have struck his disciples with consternation. Some view the word judgment (κρίσις) as denoting reformation, and others as denoting condemnation. I rather agree with the former, who explain it to mean that the world must be restored to a proper order; for the Hebrew word משפט (mishpat), which is translated judgment, means a well-ordered state. Now we know that, apart from Christ, there is nothing but confusion in the world; and though Christ had already begun to establish the kingdom of God, yet his death was the commencement of a well-regulated condition and the full restoration of the world.

Yet it must also be observed that this proper arrangement cannot be established in the world until the kingdom of Satan is first destroyed, until the flesh and everything opposed to the righteousness of God are reduced to nothing. Lastly, the renovation of the world must be preceded by mortification. Accordingly, Christ declares:

Now shall the prince of this world be cast out. For the confusion and deformity arise from this: while Satan usurps tyrannical dominion, iniquity everywhere abounds. When Satan has been cast out, therefore, the world is brought back from its revolt and placed under obedience to the government of God. It may be asked, how was Satan cast out by the death of Christ, since he does not cease to wage war continually? I reply, this casting out must not be limited to any short period of time but is a description of that remarkable effect of the death of Christ which is daily manifested.