2:15 put them to open shame. The image is of a conquering Roman general parading his vanquished and humiliated enemies behind his chariot. An invisible cosmic struggle took place at the cross, and the prince of this age was “cast out” (John 12:31), “thrown down to the earth” (Rev. 12:9), and “bound” (Rev. 20:2; see also Matt. 12:29; Luke 10:18). Through Jesus’ death for sinners, Satan was robbed of his power to intimidate and control people through the threat of death and eternal separation from God (Ezek. 18; Rom. 5:12; 6:23; Heb. 2:14, 15). The struggle with Satan and his legions will not see its conclusion until the Lord’s return in glory (2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 6:10–18; 1 Pet. 5:8), but the devil’s power is broken. As Luther sang, “Lo, his doom is sure.” With the ground of their constant accusations taken away, the hostile powers of Satan have lost their advantage forever. See “Demons” at Deut. 32:17.