and in regard to judgmentThis phrase refers to the divine judgment that is a central theme throughout the Bible. Judgment in the biblical context often involves the discernment between righteousness and sin, and the ultimate accountability before God. In the New Testament, judgment is frequently associated with the coming of Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead (
2 Timothy 4:1). This judgment is not only future but also present, as Jesus' ministry brought a division between those who accept Him and those who reject Him. The concept of judgment is rooted in the Old Testament, where God is portrayed as the ultimate judge of all nations (
Psalm 96:13).
because the prince of this world
The "prince of this world" is a reference to Satan, who is often depicted as the ruler of the current age, exercising influence over the world and its systems (Ephesians 2:2). This title underscores the temporary authority that Satan holds over the earth, which is characterized by sin and rebellion against God. The term "world" in this context refers to the fallen state of humanity and the systems that oppose God's kingdom. The notion of Satan as a ruler is seen in the temptation of Jesus, where Satan offers Him the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8-9).
has been condemned
The condemnation of the "prince of this world" signifies the decisive victory of Jesus over Satan through His death and resurrection. This condemnation is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman is foretold to crush the serpent's head. The cross is the pivotal moment where Satan's power is broken, and his ultimate defeat is assured (Colossians 2:15). This condemnation is not only a future reality but also a present truth, as believers are called to live in the victory of Christ, resisting the devil and his schemes (James 4:7). The assurance of Satan's condemnation provides hope and encouragement to Christians, affirming that evil will not prevail.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this passage, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
2.
The Holy SpiritReferred to as the Advocate or Comforter, who will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.
3.
The Prince of this WorldA reference to Satan, who is described as having been condemned.
4.
The DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, who are being prepared for the challenges they will face after Jesus' ascension.
5.
The WorldRepresents the system of human society that is opposed to God and under the influence of Satan.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of JudgmentJesus assures us that judgment is not a future possibility but a present reality. The prince of this world has already been condemned, affirming God's ultimate authority and justice.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit convicts the world of judgment, reminding believers of the victory over sin and evil. This conviction should lead to a life of righteousness and hope.
Victory Over EvilBelievers can live confidently, knowing that Satan's power is limited and his defeat is assured. This should encourage us to resist temptation and stand firm in faith.
Living in Light of JudgmentUnderstanding that judgment has been rendered should motivate us to live holy lives, sharing the gospel with urgency and compassion.
Hope in Christ's TriumphThe condemnation of the prince of this world is a source of hope, reminding us that Christ's victory is our victory, and we are more than conquerors through Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of John 16:11?
2. How does John 16:11 affirm Jesus' victory over the "ruler of this world"?
3. What implications does the "judgment" in John 16:11 have for believers today?
4. How does John 16:11 connect with Genesis 3:15 about Satan's defeat?
5. How can believers live confidently knowing the "ruler of this world" is judged?
6. In what ways does John 16:11 encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty?
7. What does John 16:11 mean by "the ruler of this world has been condemned"?
8. How does John 16:11 relate to the concept of divine judgment?
9. Why is the condemnation of the ruler significant in John 16:11?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 16?
11. Is Satan loved by God?
12. What does the Holy Spirit convict the world of?
13. Hebrews 2:14 claims Jesus’s death destroyed Satan’s power—why does evil still thrive if Satan’s power was truly nullified?
14. Romans 9:13: How can a loving God claim to hate Esau from birth?What Does John 16:11 Mean
and in regard to judgment• Jesus foretells the Spirit’s work of exposing the reality of God’s courtroom. Every person stands either justified or condemned—there is no neutral ground (John 3:18).
• This judgment is not merely future; the verdict is already announced in Christ. Acts 17:31 declares that God “has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed.”
• The Spirit presses this truth on human hearts, urging repentance before Hebrews 9:27’s “once to die, and after this, judgment” becomes personal experience.
• Revelation 20:11-15 shows the final outworking: those outside Christ face the Great White Throne, while believers rest secure because their judgment fell on Jesus at the cross (Isaiah 53:5-6).
because the prince of this world• Jesus names Satan as “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2). His influence permeates fallen systems, blinding minds to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).
• Identifying the true enemy clarifies that our struggle is spiritual, not merely cultural or political (Ephesians 6:12).
• The Spirit exposes Satan’s nature—liar, murderer, tempter—so people grasp why allegiance to Christ is urgent (John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8).
has been condemned• The verb is past-tense—Satan’s defeat is a settled fact. At the cross, Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” and “made a public spectacle of them” (Colossians 2:14-15).
• Hebrews 2:14 explains that through death Jesus destroyed “the one who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.”
• Revelation 20:10 portrays the sentence’s execution: the devil is cast into the lake of fire forever.
• Because the ruler of this age is condemned, his followers share his fate (Matthew 25:41). The Spirit’s conviction presses sinners to switch kingdoms while grace is available (Colossians 1:13-14).
summaryJohn 16:11 assures us that the Holy Spirit convinces the world of an unalterable verdict: judgment is real, and its outcome is already demonstrated in Satan’s condemnation. Christ’s victory guarantees the devil’s doom and offers every person a clear choice—remain under a defeated ruler or receive the pardon secured by the risen Lord.
(11)
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.--Comp. Notes on
John 3:17-18, and
John 12:30-31. The tense here is perfect, marking the completion of the condemnation. "The prince of this world hath been and remaineth judged." The conviction is regarded from the point of view of the coming of the Advocate when Christ's work shall have been completed. That work is the redemption of the world, and is, therefore, the condemnation of the prince of this world. The conviction of this judgment follows upon that of sin and upon that of righteousness. The two kingdoms stand out in clear distinction. The power of the prince of this world is overcome by the opening of the kingdom of heaven to all believers. The King of Righteousness is in victory seated upon His throne, and claims mankind, whose nature He has assumed and whom He has redeemed, to be free from sin and servants of righteousness.
It is not within the scope of these Notes to discuss the theories of interpretation, and the many difficulties which attend every interpretation of John 16:7-11. All that can be attempted is to place the reader in possession of what seems to be the simplest meaning of the words. A more full treatment is the less necessary as a complete discussion of the whole subject is easily accessible in the Sermons of the late Archdeacon of Lewes, preached before the University of Cambridge, in 1840. The Notes attached to the Sermons are an exhaustive summary of the views held in ancient and modern times by men most capable of judging. (See J. C. Hare, Mission of the Comforter, Ed 3, 1876.)
Verse 11. - In respect of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. The conviction of sin will have a peculiarly and specially subjective cause; that of judgment will, like that of righteousness, be preceded by two stupendous objective facts - the exaltation of Christ and the judgment of Satan. The glorification of the Son of man, to the extent of his being declared to be the Son of God with power, will be the grand event which human nature will be powerless to counteract or ultimately to resist. "Know assuredly that this same Jesus whom you have crucified is both Lord and Christ." The judgment of the prince of this world is also a fact lying outside the politics of the world, which may fume and rage as it will; it is beyond the reach of the philosophy or literature, the courts or armies, the fashions or the force, of this world. The central prince and spirit of the world is judged by the Lord Jesus, and condemned; and the time is coming when the old standard of judgment will be cast out, and the world will be compelled to admit that it has been vanquished (
John 12:31). The conviction concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, by the aid of the Advocate whom Christ will send, will become the great work of the apostles and of the Church, until he comes again in his glory. While commenting upon this sublime assurance the awful process must not be forgotten, nor the fact that the prince of the world dies hard. The atrocious wickedness which burst out after the exaltation of Christ among the people who had rejected their Lord, and the consummation of the mystery of iniquity in the Roman empire, was a part of the providential conviction of the world. Archdeacon Hare, in his ' Mission of the Comforter,' insists that the entire conviction of judgment, righteousness, and sin must be the work of "the Comforter;" that all the objective facts, all the teaching of example, all the thunder of prophecy, nay, all the outward demonstration of sin, righteousness, and judgment, made in and by the incarnation and sacrifice of Christ, must be complemented by the grace of the Holy Spirit on individuals, nations, and humanity at large; and that it is in the capacity of human "Comforter," or "Advocate," that this conviction is wrought.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andδὲ (de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.in regard toπερὶ (peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.judgment,κρίσεως (kriseōs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2920: Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.becauseὅτι (hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.theὁ (ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.princeἄρχων (archōn)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 758: Present participle of archo; a first.of thisτούτου (toutou)Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. worldκόσμου (kosmou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).has been condemned.κέκριται (kekritai)Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.
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NT Gospels: John 16:11 About judgment because the prince of this (Jhn Jo Jn) 
