John 12:31–36

Verse 31. Now is the judgment of the world: Their condemnation, says Saint John Chrysostom for not believing.—The prince of this world, that is, the devil, shall be cast out from that great tyranny, which he had over mankind, before Christ’s incarnation. Witham.—By these words Christ informs the Gentiles that wished to see him, that soon he would punish the incredulous Jews, and cast off their synagogue, for their malice and insatiable hatred against him; and that the prince of this world, that is, the worship of idols, should be destroyed, and all called to the true faith. Calmet.

Verse 32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth: that is, on the cross. See the same expression, John 3:14 and 8:28.—I will draw all things, all nations, to myself by faith. Witham.

Verse 34. How sayest thou the Son of man must be lifted up? By these words of the people, Christ, in this discourse must have called himself the Son of man, though it is not here mentioned by the evangelist. The people also tell him, they had heard that their Messias was to abide for ever: which was true as to his spiritual kingdom of grace, not as to such a glorious temporal kingdom, as they imagined. Witham.

Verse 35. Yet a little while, [2] that is, for a very few days, I, who am the light of the world, am with you. Witham.—How much do the Jews now do, and yet they know not what they do: but like men that are walking in the dark, they think they are in the right way, when alas! they are quite the contrary. Saint John Chrysostom hom. lxvi in Joan.