Conviction about righteousness and judgement
This is the only place in John’s gospel where the word righteousness is used, and it stands in contrast to sin in the previous verse (10). The true meaning of righteousness is that which Jesus established on the cross (“I am going to the Father” refers to his death), and not the righteousness of human effort (10; Rom.1:17; Rom.3:21-22).
.
Similarly, the meaning of judgement is also to be found in the cross, for that was where and when Satan, “the prince of this world” was defeated (11). This echoes what Jesus had said as his public ministry drew to a close and the cross became imminent: “Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” (12:31; Col.2:15).
.
So the meaning of sin, righteousness and judgement are all demonstrated by Jesus’s death on the cross, the place where God’s grace is revealed and Jesus draws to himself all who will believe in him (12:32-33; 3:14-15; 6:44). Because of our sin we deserve to be judged, but through the cross a new righteousness is freely available to us, a gift of grace. These are truths that cannot be understood or accepted, apart from the exposing and convincing work of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts.