▼ The ruler of this world is a reference to Satan.

▼ Or “will be thrown out.” This translation regards the future passive ἐκβληθήσεται (ekblēqēsetai) as referring to an event future to the time of speaking.

▼ The phrase driven out must refer to Satan’s loss of authority over this world. This must be in principle rather than in immediate fact, since 1 John 5:19 states that the whole world (still) lies in the power of the evil one (a reference to Satan). In an absolute sense the reference is proleptic. The coming of Jesus’ hour (his crucifixion, death, resurrection, and exaltation to the Father) marks the end of Satan’s domain and brings about his defeat, even though that defeat has not been ultimately worked out in history yet and awaits the consummation of the age.