John 12:31

Now. A momentous hour in the history of the world had come. Jesus was about to die for the guilty race, thus assuring the salvation of men and making certain the defeat of Satan’s kingdom. The expression “now” was thus fraught with the most weighty significance.

Judgment of this world. Not that Jesus was about to sit as judge, “for God sent not his Son into the world to condemn [or, “judge,” as krind is most commonly rendered] the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (see on ch. 3:17). However, by their relationship to the Son, men were deciding their eternal destiny (see on ch. 9:39). By refusing to accept Jesus as the Messiah of prophecy and as the Saviour of the world the Jewish nation sealed its fate and incurred condemnation.

Prince of this world. This title for Satan is found only in John (cf. chs. 14:30; 16:11). Other titles given him are “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) and “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). On Satan’s usurped authority of this world see on Matt. 4:8, 9.

Cast out. There had been an earlier casting out at the time Lucifer fell from his high estate (see PP 42). Now his work would be further restricted. By his attitude toward the Son of God, Satan stood revealed in his true character. He could henceforth “no longer await the angels as they came from the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ’s brethren” (DA 761). See further on Rev. 12:7-9.