Exposition of John, Chapter 12 · Verse 20
Verſe 31. Now is the judgement of this world: now ſhall the Prince of this world be caſt out.
32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33. (This he ſaid, ſignifying what death he ſhould dye.)
In theſe verſes is recorded the fourth particular in this part of the Chapter, namely, that Chriſt being now calmed in his exerciſe, and refreſhed with the late conſolation, doth reſume the point he had been upon, ver. 23, 24. and publiſheth more fully the glorious fruits and effects of his death. The fruits of his death, here mentioned, are, 1. The judgement of this world. 2. The caſting out of Satan the prince of this world, ver 31. 3. The drawing of all men to him when he is lifted up from the earth, ver. 32. which lifting up, he expounds to ſignifie the manner of his death, ver. 33. Now for right underſtanding this purpoſe, the great difficultie is, to take up rightly the firſt fruit of his death, concerning the judgement of this world, which may be diverſly taken, according to the different acceptions of the words judgement, and world, which may be diverſe wayes expounded: For, firſt, Takeing the world for the world of the Elect (as 2 Cor. 5.19. and Joh. 3.16. where the reaſons of this denomination are given) the meaning will be, That they are judged in Chriſt their head; That is, partly, they are condemned in him, who in his ſufferings repreſented and ſtood Surety for them all, and was accuſed, ſentenced, and put to an accurſed death for them, and ſo God for ſinne condemned their ſin in Chriſts fl…ſh, Rom. 8.2. And partly, that by this judgement of Chriſt in their name, there ariſeth a judgement of abſolution to them, in their own perſons, through him. This in it ſelfe is a clear and uſeful truth, and doth well agree alſo with the caſting out of Satan, after mentioned; Yet it doth not exhauſt the fall ſcope of this place. And albeit the Elect, conſidered by themſelves, be ſometimes called, the world, yet it is not ſo clear in Scripture, that they ſhould be called ſo emphatically, This world, (which is uſually taken in another ſenſe) eſpecially, when in the next words, and 2 Cor. 4.4. This world are they of whom Satan is Prince and God; For, albeit he reigne in the Elect, while they are children of diſobedience and of wrath, as well as others, Eph. 2. 2, 3 Yet it is not in reſpect of them that he is Prince of this world, and therefore the name is not ſo proper to them. Secondly, underſtanding this purpoſe of the reprobate world, over whom Satan is Prince, the meaning is, that they are judged, or condemned, in the ſufferings of Chriſt; which holds true in theſe reſpects. 1. It ſeals up the condemnation of all theſe, unto whom this purchaſe is revealed, and yet do reject the offer. 2. The ſuffering… of Chriſt are a pattern and exemplary, making manifeſt what is the judgement abiding the wicked, for whom this purch…s is not made: for, if this be done in the green-t…ee, what ſhall be done in the dry? 3. They are condemned in Satan their head and Prince, who was foiled and caſt out by the death of Chriſt on the Croſſe, even as the Elect are judged and abſolved in the ſuffering and victory of Chriſt their head. Theſe are indeed truths which do agree well with what followe…h of the caſting out of Satan; Yet do not exhauſt the ſcope either; For, there is more that followeth on this ejection of him, then all that. And therefore, Thirdly, That I may fall upon a more full interpretation, It would be conſidered, that the tearme, this world, or, the world, at it is ſometime taken for this preſent life and enjoyments thereof, in oppoſition to eternity, Luk. 20.34. Joh. 13.1. 1 Cor. 7.31. and elſewhere: So it is uſed, ſometime, to point out the ſtate of this inferiour world, and all perſons therein, as they are corrupted and out of frame by the fall of man. Thus to be of this world, is to be in a corrupt eſtate, Joh. 8.23. we are not to be conforme to it, Rom. 12.2. ought to keep our ſelves unſpotted from it, Jam. 1.27. The wiſdome thereof is condemned, 1 Cor. 3.19. and its courſes, Eph. 2.2. and the world, and things thereof, are to be diſclaimed, as not being of God, 1 Joh. 2.15, 16. Againe, the word, judgement, in the Ebrew phraſe, (uſual to the New Teſtament) doth ſignifie the exerciſe of power and authority, for reformation of abuſes, and reſtauration of things that are out of frame, to their right and primitive order. Yet ſo, as including a condemnation of all that bred this diſturbance, or is worthy to be condemned, and an abſolution and aſſerting into liberty all theſe who were wronged under that diſorder. According to theſe ſignifications of the tearmes, the ſenſe of the words will be this; (agreeable to Daniels prediction, of Chriſts making an end of ſins, and bringing in everlaſting righteouſneſſe, by his death, Dan. 9.24.) That, whereas by the fall of Adam, the world hath fallen into confuſion and diſorder, man hath fallen from integrity and happineſſe, Satan and ſin have reigned and raged in the world, Rom. 5.21. Eph. 2.2. The children of this world have bleſſed themſelves in their bad condition, and the Elect have lien under ſlavery and bondage: Now Chriſt, by his death, hath taken away this diſorder; by dethroning and condemning the diſturbers, ſin and Satan; by bringing in everlaſting righteouſneſſe; by manifeſting the condemnation of the wicked, and by reſtoring the Elect to that happineſſe they were deprived of by ſin. This I take to be the moſt ſatisfactory interpretation, partly, becauſe it is moſt comprehenſive; for albeit ſinne and Satan be condemned and caſt out only in reſpect of the Elect world, and the reſtauration be only purchaſed to them; yet the interpretation alſo includes all the other interpretations, of condemning ſin and Satan, and of the Reprobates, as is before explained, and the abſolution of the Elect through him who was condemned as their ſurety: And partly, becauſe it runs well with the r…ſt of the fruits of his death here mentioned. For this judgement of this world, is put firſt, as a comprehenſive and general fruit, that hereby he reformes theſe things that were out of frame by the fall of man. The next of Satans caſting out, is ſubjoyned, to point out the mean and way of this reſtauration, namely, by dethroning the uſurper and diſturber. And the third, of drawing all men to him, is added, as an effect and further explication of this reſtauration of the Elect world; that he will draw them to himſelfe, the fountain and channel of that happineſſe which they loſt in Adam. It is further to be conſidered, for clearing the words, That while Chriſt ſaith, now, in his ſufferings, is the judgement of this world, and Satan caſt out, we muſt avoid two rocks in underſtanding of them. 1. That we conceive not of this, as if this judgement, and caſting out had not been in the world before the time of Chriſts death: For the Elect were made partakers of the benefite hereof in all ages before the Incarnation of Chriſt. But the meaning is partlie, that this world was never judged, nor Satan caſt out at any time, but by vertue of his death which he was now to ſuffer, and that now he was to pay the price, and fight the good fight, by vertue whereof it is, that in any age, Satan is foiled, and the world judged: And partly, that now he was to have more viſible and copious fruits of this judgement then formerly, eſpecially, thoughout the world, and not among the Jewes only. 2. We are not to conceive as if this judgement of reſtauration, and the caſting out of Satan, were compleated and perfected at the death of Chriſt; For, albeit the purchaſe be then compleatly made, yet the application doth but follow in due time to the Elect, and that is carried on by degrees, till in the great day, there be a compleat reſtitution of all things, Acts 3.21. and a ſolide victory and triumph over all our enemies. And therefore it is ſpoken of by way of promiſe for the future, the Prince of this world ſhall be caſt out, and I will draw all men.
Not to repeat the ſeveral inſtructions which have been pointed at in the ſeveral interpretations of the firſt phraſe, (all which are included in this interpretation) we may further, from verſe 31. Learn, 1. Whatever be the ſharp exerciſes of Saints under the ſenſe of wrath; yet it is to be expected they will have an end, if not alſo paſſe ſhortly over; for, this encouragement is given us in the experience of our head, who is now in a ſhort time calmed. See Iſa 54.7, 8. And albeit Heman had a long time of it, Pſal. 88.15. Yet he ſaw an end of it. 2. When the Lord ſeeth it ſit to exerciſe his children with much and ſore exerciſe, whereof they will not ſo ſoon ſee an end; Yet ſuch is his mercy, as not to over-drive them, but to afford them a breathing time betwixt one p…ng and another, which they ſhould highly eſteem of; for, ſo is alſo verified in Chriſt, who although he was a man of ſorrows, and acquainted with grief, and another ſad ſtorme was abiding him after this; Yet he gets this calme, and a clear ſun-blink among hands. 3. How much ſoever exerciſe do perplexe and confound the thoughts of Saints, ſo that they will be tempted with ſtrange thoughts and miſconſtructions of their lot, and of Gods dealing toward them; Yet when the cloud is over, they will recal theſe thoughts, and look as comfortably on the ſaddeſt of their lots as ever: So much alſo doth Chriſts experience teach, who in his exerciſe abhorred his ſuffering of the accurſed death, and the wrath of God; Yet now when he is calmed, he hath as ſweet thoughts of that lot as formerly he had, verſe 23 3. Such as would have their iſſues from trouble, and their exerciſe, bleſſed unto them, ought to make uſe thereof, and to emprove them to the beſt advantage, in their place and ſtation; for, herein Chriſt hath caſt us a copy, who being comforted, and getting a breathing time, doth fall a preaching againe, and communicates his conſolations to his hearers. 5. The beſt way of looking on our ſad exerciſes and ſtraits, is, to ponder the fruits that God will bring out of them, which may ſwallow up the bitterneſs and griefe they put us unto, and which we do pore too much upon; So Chriſt is comforted over the bitterneſſe of the cup of his ſufferings, whereof he had a late taſte, by looking upon the fruit thereof. 6. By the fall of Adam, this inferiour world is out of frame and in diſorder; Not only is the whole Creation groaning and travelling in pain, Rom. 8.22. but all mankinde by nature are lying in wickedneſſe, with their backs upon God, after whole image they were created; and ſinne and Satan are raging in them at their pleaſure, and making them fight againſt God with whom they were entered in a Covenant of friendſhip; for, ſo is here imported, that there is need of a judgement, or, reſtauration, in this world. 7. No mean that could be deviſed, beſide the death of Chriſt, was able to reforme this diſorder, nor can put in frame theſe things that are out of courſe; for, ſaith he, now, and by no other mean, is the judgement of this world. 8. Chriſt, by his death, hath reſtored the collapſed eſtate of this world. Albeit he permit the generallity of men to lye over in their loſt eſtate, as being debtor to none; Yet even they are judged, in ſo far as they are inſeparable from ſin which he deſtroyeth, and as their condemnation is made manifeſt. But in reference to the elect world, he hath deſtroyed and ſubdued ſin (in the guilt, power, and effects thereof) and Satan which diſturb the world, and hath brought in righteouſneſſe, abſolved them, and aſſerted them into liberty in himſelfe: for, Now, ſaith he, is the judgement of this world. 9. Albeit it be ſaid, that now, at Chriſts death, this judgement is paſſed; Yet it is not to be miſtaken, when even the converted elect finde ſin in its guilt and power, and Satan (of whom in the next part of this verſe) ſo prevalent and raging: For, (to clear what is already ſaid in the explication) Though the purchaſe be then made, and the application be begun at their converſion, yet the full poſſeſſion and victory is not attained till the end, 1 Cor. 15.54, 55. 2. Whatever exerciſe it pleaſe the Lord to put them unto, yet the victory at laſt is ſure, this purchaſe being made. 3. The raging of ſin and Satan, which the Elect feele and groan under, is an evidence they are caſt out; whereas otherwiſe, they would be at quiet, Luk. 11.21, 22. Rom. 7.9. 4. The reaſon why the converted Elect finde ſo little preſent fruit of this purchaſe, is, becauſe they make ſo little uſe of an intereſt in Chriſt by faith and of the conqueſt we have in him our head, as Rom 6.11. Thus are we to underſtand this purpoſe, Now is the judgement of this world. Doctrine 10. It makes up the great diſorder of this world, in reſpect of the Elect, that not only they are under the power of corruption, but Satan alſo is daily blowing at the bellows of it, and himſelfe alſo immediately ſuggeſting wicked tentations; for, here it is added, as a great cauſe of this diſorder, that Satan is a Prince of this world, who muſt be caſt out, that this judgement may be. 11. Satan is a Prince and Ruler of theſe who live in ſin, not by any right, but by tyrannical uſurpation, who doth furiouſly drive them on in the ſervice of ſin; for, he is the Prince of this world. See 2 Cor. 4.4. Eph. 2.2. 2 Tim. 2.26. 12. Satan is an uſurper, who will not quit his poſſeſſion with good-will, unleſſe he be caſt out; for, he muſt be caſt out; Where it is otherwiſe, and he but goeth out, he doth but deceive, Matth. 12.43, 44, 45. 13. Chriſts death is Satans overthrow; Then did he ſpoile principalities and powers, Col. 2.15. And the merit and efficacy of his death, will caſt him out of the Elect by degrees; for, now ſhall the Prince of this world be caſt out; Namely, out of his tyranical uſurpation in the world, in relation to the Elect, and out of them.
From ver. 32, 33. Learn, 1. The Elect, who are made partakers of Chriſts death, are in themſelves a great number, gathered out of all nations, and ſexes of people, and are Chriſts all, whom he careth for; Therefore are they called all men. 2. Whatever be Chriſt; purpoſe of love toward the Elect, and his purchaſe for them; Yet in themſelves they are at a great diſtance from their happineſſe, till they be brought unto it; for, they are drawn to him, which imports a diſtance. 3. The Elect are not only far from Chriſt, but ſo averſe from their own happineſſe, and have ſo many impediments in their way, that they muſt be drawn to it, before they come; for, I will draw all men, ſaith he, compare Joh. 6.44. 4. Chriſt will not want his purchaſe, notwithſtanding all theſe impediments; his death doth purchaſe life to them, and his efficacious power will bring them to participate thereof; for, I will draw all men, ſaith he. 5. They, to whom Chriſt applyes the efficacy of his death, will finde no place of reſt, till they be brought to communion with him, and abide with him; And he will not give over perfecting their happineſſe and drawing them, till he bring them where he is; for, I will draw all men to me, that is, to communion with me through my death, and to be where I am. 6. Chriſts Croſſe will be glorious in their eyes who ſee the rich fruits thereof. Therefore doth he deſcribe it, If I be lifted up from the earth (to wit, on the croſſe, alluding to the brazen ſerpent) as a glorious exaltation of him, when ſo many ſhould ſlow to a crucified Saviour. 7. Chriſt knew his own death and the manner of it, before he embraced it, and ſo he was not ſurprized with it, but made it his voluntary choice; for, he ſpake this, before hand, ſignifying what death he ſhould die. 8. Chriſts victories over ſin and Satan are glorious and remarkable, not only in themſelves, but alſo in the way and manner of them, that he ſhould overcome by ignominy, weakneſſe, ſuffering, and death; Therefore is the expoſition of this lifting up given, that we may ponder much this way of his ſucceſſe. 9. Chriſts words ought not only to be reverendly heard, but ſhould be marked and pondered, till they be underſtood; Therefore John thinks it needful not to leave this one word uncleared.