Matthew Poole and continuators on John 12:31

31 Now is the judgment of this world : now [illegible: 1 letter]hall the prince of this world be cast out e.

The terms [Iudgment] and (World) are taken so variously in the New Testament, and particularly in this very Gospel, that they have given Interpreters a great liberty to vary in their senses of this passage. It seemeth reasonable to agree, that our Saviour doth expound in this Verse what the Voice from Heaven uttered: that the Father had already glorified his Name, and would yet further glorifie it; how? Now (saith he) is the judgment of this World; That is, (say some) the Condemnation of the wicked men in it; and certain it is, that the term World doth sometimes so signifie, Chap. 15 19. Chap. 17.6, 9. 1 Cor. 6.2. and 11.32. But this sense seemeth not to agree with Chap. 3.17. where Christ tells us, that this his first coming was not to Condemn the World. Others do therefore here by Iudgment better understand, the dispensation of Divine Providence, by which a great change or Catastrophe, was to be made in the World, by the Reformation of it. The beginning of the time of the Restitution of all things, Acts 3.22. But it seems best to be understood of the Deliverance and Vindication of Mankind from the power of the Devil, who had a long time held Mankind in an unjust possession. The Devil had got a dominion over Mankind by the fall of Adam, and had exceedingly tyrannized over them, keeping the far greatest part of the World in slavery by Idolatry, and keeping many others, who were no open Idolaters, yet captives to his will. Now, saith our Saviour, the time is come, when this shall be altered; Satan shall be bound up; I will deliver a great part of the World from the yoke of Idolatry; another part of them from the power and dominion of Sin.

The Devil, who is not by any right the Prince of the World, but boasteth himself to be so, Matth. 4.6. and Acteth in it like a Prince, powerfully working in the children of disobedience, Eph. 2.2 and as the God of this World blinding mens eyes, 2 Cor. 4.4. taking the World as his house, and keeping it as a strong man, Matth. 12.29. shall be cast out of my Redeemed ones; so as tho he will still be going about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour, and molesting the best of men by his temptations, yet he shall not prevail over them, God will bruise him under their feet; he that had the power of Death shall (as to his dominion) be destroyed, and those who are in bondage through the fear of it, shall be delivered, Heb. 2.14. the tempted shall be succoured, ver. 18. and God with the temptation shall give a blessed issue. And the Devils Kingdom kept up by Idolatry, shall also in a great measure be destroyed in the World: many Nations now under that slavery shall imbrace the Gospel, and throw away then Idols.

Marginal references: Luk. 10.18. Chap. 14.30. and 16.11. Eph. 6.12.