John 12:31 — Prince of the World — Aneel Aranha

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel. Today we will reflect on John 12:31, a single verse. Listen.

[Jesus said:] Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 

In this single verse we are reflecting upon today, Jesus introduces the cosmic dimension of his mission. He speaks about a spiritual battle against the forces of darkness. “Now is the time,” he says, “for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”

When Jesus speaks of "judgment on this world," he is not just talking about punishment. He is talking more about separating what aligns with God’s will from what doesn’t. It is a time when the world's values and actions are examined against what Jesus teaches and does.

The "prince of this world" whom Jesus refers to is commonly understood to be Satan or the devil. Why is the devil called "prince of this world”? Let's explore this figure and the title in more detail.

In Christian theology, Satan is traditionally seen as a fallen angel who rebelled against God. He is often depicted as the embodiment of evil, temptation, and opposition to God's will. More broadly, this figure can be seen as a symbol or personification of all that is opposed to God—sin, evil, and the temptation that leads humans away from divine commandments and intentions.

The title "prince of this world" implies a certain level of authority or dominion that Satan is believed to hold over the earthly realm. This contrasts with God's ultimate sovereignty but acknowledges that, in the present fallen state of the world, evil has a significant influence. 

The title also serves to contrast the kingdom of God with the current state of the world. Whereas God's kingdom is characterized by righteousness, peace, and eternal life, the realm under the "prince of this world" is marked by sin, discord, and death.

In the Bible, the world is often depicted as being under the sway of sin and evil since the Fall of Man (Genesis 3). This grants Satan a kind of temporary rule, making him the "prince" of a world that is largely estranged from God.

Jesus himself refers to Satan as the "prince of this world" several times in the Gospel of John (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). These references indicate a recognition of Satan's power in the current age, but also, crucially, they foreshadow his eventual defeat, as Jesus says in today's passage, “The prince of this world will be driven out.”

This message is a core part of Christian faith, showing the hope and victory in Jesus' mission and the nature of salvation.

God bless you.