Why is Satan referred to as the prince of the world in John 12:31?
John 12:31
ESV - 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
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Asked September 25 2013
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Joel Ebene
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Chris Eleam
What, though, of the Bible’s statement that Satan is the god, or ruler, of this world? (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4) What, indeed, of Satan’s boast to Jesus when he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and said: “All this authority. . . has been delivered to me, and to whomever I wish I give it.” (Luke 4:6) Jesus did not contradict Satan’s boast. And Satan’s words harmonize with what Paul later wrote to the Ephesians: “We have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Moreover, the book of Revelation depicts Satan as a great dragon that gives to a beastly symbol of the world’s political system “its power and its throne and great authority.”—Revelation 13:2. 16 Notice, though, that Satan’s statement to Jesus, “All this authority. . . has been delivered to me,” shows that he too exercises authority only by permission. Why does God grant this permission? Satan’s career as world ruler began back in Eden when he publicly accused God of lying and unjustly exercising His sovereignty. (Genesis 3:1-6) Adam and Eve followed Satan and disobeyed Jehovah God. At that point Jehovah could, with perfect justice, have executed Satan and his two new followers. (Genesis 2:16, 17) But Satan’s words were really a personal challenge to Jehovah. So God in his wisdom allowed Satan to live on for a while, and Adam and Eve were permitted to multiply children before they died. In this way, God provided time and opportunity for the falsity of Satan’s challenge to be demonstrated.—Genesis 3:15-19.
Kristen Ehrenberger
Satan is this ruler of "this" world--that is, the sinful earth before the (re)creation of the Kingdom. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection inaugurated God's Kingdom on Earth, and Christ is the ruler of "that" world.
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