John 14:30

KJV

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hereafter {G3765} I will {G2980} not {G3765} talk {G2980} much {G4183} with {G3326} you {G5216}: for {G1063} the prince {G758} of this {G5127} world {G2889} cometh {G2064}, and {G2532} hath {G2192}{G3756} nothing {G3762} in {G1722} me {G1698}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“I won’t be talking with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me;

Berean Standard Bible

I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.

American Standard Version

I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus continues His intimate discourse with His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion, revealing the urgency of the hour and the spiritual battle unfolding. He declares that His time for extensive teaching is drawing to a close, for "the prince of this world" is approaching. Crucially, Jesus asserts His absolute purity and sinlessness, stating that this adversary has no claim or power over Him, thereby underscoring the voluntary and redemptive nature of His impending sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus' Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room immediately following the Last Supper and Judas's departure. Chapters 13 and 14 focus on preparing the disciples for Jesus' physical absence, promising the Holy Spirit, comforting them with the truth of His return, and emphasizing the importance of love and obedience. [John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - The Prince of This World") marks a transition, signaling the imminent confrontation with the powers of darkness that will lead to His arrest and crucifixion. It sets the stage for the command to "Arise, let us go hence" in [John 14:31](/john/14-31 "John 14:31 - Arise, Let Us Go Hence"), moving them from the intimate setting to the Garden of Gethsemane.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' reference to "the prince of this world" would have resonated with Jewish apocalyptic thought, which often personified evil forces, particularly Satan, as having dominion over the present age, especially the Gentile nations or the "world" in its fallen, rebellious state. The disciples, steeped in this worldview, would understand the gravity of such a figure's "coming." The impending events—Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion—were not random occurrences but the culmination of a divine plan unfolding amidst intense spiritual warfare, where the forces of darkness sought to thwart God's redemptive purposes.
* **Key Themes:** [John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - The Prince of This World") powerfully contributes to several key themes within John's Gospel. It highlights the **sovereignty of God** over all events, even the darkest ones, as Jesus willingly submits to the Father's plan, not to Satan's power. It underscores Jesus' **divine authority and sinlessness**, a recurring motif in John, which establishes His unique qualification as the spotless Lamb of God (cf. [John 8:46](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - Who Convicts Me of Sin?")). Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **spiritual warfare** and **Christ's ultimate victory** over the powers of darkness, a victory that will be fully realized through His death and resurrection, foreshadowing the triumph over the "ruler of this world" mentioned again in [John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Ruler of This World Will Be Cast Out") and [John 16:11](/john/16-11 "John 16:11 - The Ruler of This World Is Judged").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hereafter (Greek, _oukéti'_):** This adverb signifies "no longer" or "not yet," indicating a cessation or termination of a previous state. Here, it marks the imminent end of Jesus' direct, extensive, and unhindered teaching ministry to His disciples before His arrest. It conveys a sense of finality and urgency, signaling that the time for intimate discourse is drawing to a close as the hour of His passion approaches.
* **Prince (Greek, _árchōn'_):** Derived from a participle meaning "first in rank or power," this term denotes a chief ruler, magistrate, or leader. In this context, it refers to Satan, acknowledging his temporary, delegated authority and influence over the fallen world system. It implies a position of significant, albeit illegitimate and transient, dominion over humanity alienated from God.
* **World (Greek, _kósmos'_):** This word primarily means "orderly arrangement" or "decoration," but by implication, it refers to the world in a wide sense, including its inhabitants. In John's Gospel, "world" often carries a moral connotation, referring to humanity in rebellion against God, a system opposed to divine truth and light. Thus, "prince of this world" refers to Satan's dominion over the human system that is alienated from God and hostile to His purposes.
* **Hath nothing (Greek, _échō oudé_):** The verb _échō_ means "to hold" or "to have," and _oudé_ means "not even one" or "nothing." Combined, this phrase signifies that Satan has no claim, no legal ground, no inherent power, and no moral leverage over Jesus. It speaks to Jesus' absolute sinlessness and perfect obedience, meaning Satan could find no point of entry, no accusation, and no means to compel Jesus' will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hereafter I will not talk much with you:"** This clause conveys Jesus' awareness of the rapidly approaching culmination of His earthly ministry. His public teaching and private instruction to the disciples are nearing their end, as His arrest, trial, and crucifixion are imminent. It highlights the preciousness and urgency of the remaining moments of direct, personal interaction.
* **"for the prince of this world cometh,"** This phrase introduces the reason for the cessation of extensive discourse. "The prince of this world" is a title Jesus uses for Satan (cf. [John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Ruler of This World Will Be Cast Out"); [John 16:11](/john/16-11 "John 16:11 - The Ruler of This World Is Judged")), indicating his active role in the events leading to the crucifixion. Satan is "coming" in the sense of initiating his final, intense assault against Jesus, primarily through Judas's betrayal and the subsequent actions of the religious and political authorities.
* **"and hath nothing in me."** This is the profound core of the verse. It declares Jesus' absolute moral purity and sinlessness. Because Jesus is without sin, Satan has no legal claim, no foothold, no inherent power, and no moral right over Him. Satan's power over humanity stems from sin, but in Jesus, he finds no sin to exploit, no weakness to leverage, and no ground for accusation. This statement underscores that Jesus' death was not a consequence of Satan's power or any sin in Him, but a voluntary act of obedience to the Father's will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Personification** is evident in "the prince of this world," where Satan is given a title of authority, highlighting his active role as a spiritual adversary. This also functions as **Symbolism**, where "the prince of this world" symbolizes the entire fallen, rebellious system of humanity and its spiritual ruler, opposed to God. The phrase "hath nothing in me" is a powerful instance of **Understatement** (or litotes, a form of understatement), as it profoundly declares Jesus' absolute sinlessness and invulnerability to Satan's claims, rather than merely stating a lack of possession. It's a profound theological truth stated with stark simplicity. The entire verse also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, preparing the disciples for the intense spiritual conflict that is about to unfold in Gethsemane and at the cross, while simultaneously assuring them of Jesus' ultimate victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 14:30 is a pivotal theological statement, asserting the unique purity of Christ and the nature of His victory over evil. It establishes that Jesus' impending death is not a defeat at the hands of Satan, but a deliberate, voluntary act of obedience to the Father, uncoerced by any external power or internal sin. This truth is foundational to the doctrine of atonement, as only a sinless sacrifice could effectively bear the sins of the world. The "prince of this world" may come, but his power is ultimately futile against the Son of God who has no sin for Satan to exploit. This sets the stage for Christ's triumph on the cross, where He disarms the powers and authorities.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Was Tempted in Every Way, Yet Without Sin")
* [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Son of God Appeared to Destroy the Works of the Devil")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - He Disarmed the Powers and Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 14:30 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. Jesus' declaration that Satan "hath nothing in me" is a powerful reminder of His absolute purity and the completeness of His victory over sin and death. For us, this means that when we are "in Christ," Satan's ultimate claim over us is broken. While he may tempt and accuse, he has no legal ground or inherent power to condemn those who are justified by faith in Jesus. This truth empowers us to resist temptation, knowing that the same Spirit who indwelt Christ now indwells us, enabling us to walk in righteousness. We are called to live lives that increasingly reflect Christ's sinlessness, striving for holiness and resisting the "prince of this world" by standing firm in the truth of God's Word and the power of His Spirit. Our battles are not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and our victory is found in Christ's perfect work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' sinlessness, as declared in this verse, impact your understanding of His sacrifice on the cross?**
* **If Satan "hath nothing in" Jesus, what does that imply about Satan's power and influence over believers who are united with Christ?**
* **In what areas of your life might the "prince of this world" try to gain a foothold, and how can you apply the truth of Jesus' victory to resist him?**
* **How does this verse encourage you in times of spiritual struggle or temptation?**

### FAQ
**What does "the prince of this world" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - The Prince of This World"), "the prince of this world" refers to Satan, the devil. This title, used by Jesus three times in John's Gospel ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Ruler of This World Will Be Cast Out"), [John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - The Prince of This World"), [John 16:11](/john/16-11 "John 16:11 - The Ruler of This World Is Judged")), signifies his temporary, albeit significant, influence and authority over the fallen, rebellious world system and humanity alienated from God. It does not imply ultimate sovereignty, as God remains supreme, but rather acknowledges Satan's role as the orchestrator of evil and rebellion in the present age. His "coming" refers to his intensified effort to oppose Jesus, particularly through the events leading to the crucifixion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 14:30 is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing the unique nature of Jesus' identity and the redemptive purpose of His mission. The declaration that "the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" is the very bedrock of the gospel. It highlights Jesus' absolute sinlessness, which is indispensable for His role as the perfect atoning sacrifice. Unlike all humanity, who are "under the power of sin" ([Romans 3:9](/romans/3-9 "Romans 3:9 - All Are Under Sin")), Jesus stands apart, untouched by sin, giving Satan no legal claim or leverage over Him. His death was not a forced act but a voluntary, obedient surrender to the Father's will, demonstrating His divine love and power even in apparent weakness (cf. [John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - No One Takes My Life From Me")). Through His perfect life and sacrificial death, Jesus definitively "disarmed the powers and authorities" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - He Disarmed the Powers and Authorities")) and "destroyed the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Son of God Appeared to Destroy the Works of the Devil")). Thus, the "prince of this world" was not victorious at the cross but was decisively judged and defeated, paving the way for Christ's resurrection and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, where He reigns supreme over all things ([Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20-22 "Ephesians 1:20-22 - Christ's Supremacy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 5:19

[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

1 John 4:4

¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

John 12:31

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Revelation 12:9

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Ephesians 2:2

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: