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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 17:15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/17-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/43_Jhn_17_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 17:15 - Prayer for the Disciples" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/17-14.htm" title="John 17:14">◄</a> John 17:15 <a href="/john/17-16.htm" title="John 17:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/17.htm">New International Version</a> My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. <a href="/nlt/john/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. <a href="/esv/john/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. <a href="/bsb/john/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. <a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I do not ask that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from evil. <a href="/kjv/john/17.htm">King James Bible</a> I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. <a href="/nkjv/john/17.htm">New King James Version</a> I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. <a href="/nasb_/john/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. <a href="/nasb/john/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. <a href="/nasb77/john/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. <a href="/lsb/john/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. <a href="/amp/john/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. <a href="/csb/john/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. <a href="/hcsb/john/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. <a href="/asv/john/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. <a href="/cev/john/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Father, I don't ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. <a href="/erv/john/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. <a href="/gwt/john/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I'm not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. <a href="/gnt/john/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One. <a href="/isv/john/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> I'm not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. <a href="/msb/john/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. <a href="/net/john/17.htm">NET Bible</a> I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one. <a href="/nheb/john/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. <a href="/wbt/john/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. <a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I do not ask that Thou wilt remove them out of the world, but that Thou wilt protect them from the Evil one. <a href="/web/john/17.htm">World English Bible</a> I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> I do not ask that You may take them out of the world, but that You may keep them out of the evil. <a href="/blb/john/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> I do not ask that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from evil. <a href="/ylt/john/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I do not ask that Thou mayest take them out of the world, but that Thou mayest keep them out of the evil. <a href="/slt/john/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I ask not that thou take them out of the world, but that thou keep them from the evil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil. <a href="/cpdv/john/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil. <a href="/nabre/john/17.htm">New American Bible</a> I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. <a href="/nrsvce/john/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> What I request is not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should protect them from evil. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “It is not that I am praying you would take them from the world, but that you would preserve them from The Evil One.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I do not pray thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the Evil One. <a href="/godbey/john/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>I do not pray that you may take them out of the world, but that you may keep them from the evil one.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> I entreat not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest preserve them from the wicked one. <a href="/mace/john/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I do not pray you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the malignity of it. <a href="/wey/john/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I do not ask that Thou wilt remove them out of the world, but that Thou wilt protect them from the Evil one. <a href="/worrell/john/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>I do not pray that Thou wouldest take them out of the world, but that thou wouldest keep them from the evil.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/17-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=6119" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/17.htm">Prayer for the Disciples</a> …14I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15<a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2065.htm" title="2065: erōtō (V-PIA-1S) -- Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.">I am not asking</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">that</a> <a href="/greek/142.htm" title="142: arēs (V-ASA-2S) -- To raise, lift up, take away, remove. ">You take</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">out of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmou (N-GMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">that</a> <a href="/greek/5083.htm" title="5083: tērēsēs (V-ASA-2S) -- From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.">You keep</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4190.htm" title="4190: ponērou (Adj-GMS) -- Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. ">evil one.</a> 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Matthew 6:13</a> And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-3.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:3</a> But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. <a href="/1_john/5-18.htm">1 John 5:18</a> We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him. <a href="/1_peter/1-5.htm">1 Peter 1:5</a> who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. <a href="/2_timothy/4-18.htm">2 Timothy 4:18</a> And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. <a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11-13</a> Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. / Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a> No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a> Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. <a href="/1_john/4-4.htm">1 John 4:4</a> You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. <a href="/romans/8-37.htm">Romans 8:37-39</a> No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. / For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, / neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. <a href="/psalms/121-7.htm">Psalm 121:7</a> The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. <a href="/psalms/41-2.htm">Psalm 41:2</a> The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to give him over to the will of his foes. <a href="/psalms/97-10.htm">Psalm 97:10</a> Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. <a href="/proverbs/2-8.htm">Proverbs 2:8</a> to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints. <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a> Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil.take.<a href="/psalms/30-9.htm">Psalm 30:9</a> What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:10</a> Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.<a href="/isaiah/38-18.htm">Isaiah 38:18,19</a> For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth… keep.<a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Genesis 48:16</a> The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.<a href="/1_chronicles/4-10.htm">1 Chronicles 4:10</a> And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.<a href="/psalms/121-7.htm">Psalm 121:7</a> The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/17-9.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/john/13-2.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/john/13-38.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/john/17-9.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/john/17-11.htm">Protect</a> <a href="/john/13-1.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/john/11-40.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/luke/4-12.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/john/14-22.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/john/17-14.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/17-20.htm">Demand</a> <a href="/john/18-23.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/john/17-20.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-3.htm">Protect</a> <a href="/acts/7-4.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/acts/13-47.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/acts/1-6.htm">Wilt</a> <a href="/john/17-16.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">John 17</div>1. <a href="/john/17-1.htm">Jesus prays to his Father.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>I am not asking that You take them out of the world In this phrase, Jesus is praying to the Father on behalf of His disciples. The context is the Upper Room Discourse, where Jesus prepares His followers for His impending departure. The request not to remove them from the world highlights the mission of the disciples to be witnesses and spread the Gospel. This echoes the Great Commission (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>) and underscores the importance of believers living in the world to fulfill God's purposes. Theologically, it reflects the concept of being in the world but not of it (<a href="/john/15-19.htm">John 15:19</a>), emphasizing the call to engage with the world while maintaining spiritual distinctiveness.but that You keep them from the evil one Here, Jesus petitions for divine protection against Satan, referred to as "the evil one." This aligns with the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches His followers to pray for deliverance from evil (<a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Matthew 6:13</a>). The phrase underscores the reality of spiritual warfare, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>, where Paul describes the struggle against spiritual forces. The request for protection implies that while believers are not removed from worldly challenges, they are safeguarded by God's power. This protection is not just physical but also spiritual, ensuring that their faith remains intact amidst trials and temptations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this prayer, Jesus is interceding for His disciples before His crucifixion. This prayer is part of what is known as the High Priestly Prayer. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' prayer, representing all believers who follow Christ. Jesus is concerned for their protection and sanctification. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_world.htm">The World</a> Refers to the fallen world system that is often in opposition to God's kingdom. Jesus acknowledges that His followers must live within this world. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_evil_one.htm">The Evil One</a> A reference to Satan, who is seen as the adversary of believers and the source of temptation and evil in the world. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a> God the Father, to whom Jesus is praying. This highlights the intimate relationship and unity within the Trinity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Warfare</a> Believers are engaged in a spiritual battle and need God's protection to stand firm against the evil one. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_world,_not_of_the_world.htm">Living in the World, Not of the World</a> Christians are called to be in the world but not conformed to it, maintaining their distinctiveness as followers of Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_intercessory_prayer.htm">The Power of Intercessory Prayer</a> Jesus' prayer for His disciples models the importance and power of praying for others, especially for their spiritual protection. <a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_protection.htm">Dependence on God for Protection</a> Believers must rely on God's strength and protection rather than their own abilities to overcome the evil one. <a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_god's_keeping.htm">The Assurance of God's Keeping</a> Jesus' prayer assures believers that God is actively involved in keeping them safe from spiritual harm.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 17</a> <a href="/q/is_escapism_considered_a_sin.htm">Is escapism considered a sin?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_yin_yang.htm">What does the Bible say about Yin Yang?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_christian_weapons.htm">What are Christian Weapons?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'not_of_this_world'_signify.htm">What does "Not of This World" signify?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.--The thought may naturally have come to their minds that they would be most effectually kept from the hatred and danger of which He had spoken if they were to be with Him taken out of the world. But there is for them a work in the world (<a href="/john/17-18.htm" title="As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.">John 17:18</a>; <a href="/john/17-24.htm" title="Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.">John 17:24</a>). He has finished the work His Father gave Him to do; He has glorified the Father on the earth (<a href="/john/17-4.htm" title="I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.">John 17:4</a>). There is a work for them to glorify Him (<a href="/john/17-10.htm" title="And all my are yours, and your are mine; and I am glorified in them.">John 17:10</a>), and He prays not that they should be taken out of the world before their work is done. The Christian ideal is not freedom from work, but strength to do it; not freedom from temptation, but power to overcome it; not freedom from suffering, but joy in an abiding sense of the Father's love; not absence from the world, but grace to make the world better for our presence; not holy lives driven from the world, and living apart from it, but holy lives spent in the world and leavening it.But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.--Comp. Note on <a href="/matthew/6-13.htm" title="And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For your is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.">Matthew 6:13</a>. The usage of St. John is, beyond question, in favour of the masculine. The only other passages where he uses the word in the singular are <a href="/context/1_john/2-13.htm" title="I write to you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.">1John 2:13-14</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm" title="Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.">1John 3:12</a>; <a href="/context/1_john/5-18.htm" title="We know that whoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.">1John 5:18-19</a>. We have to bear in mind also that the present passage occurs in the second "Lord's Prayer," and that His prayer for them may with probability be interpreted in the same sense as the words in which He taught them to pray. On the whole, therefore, it seems likely, but yet is by no means certain, that we ought to read here, "that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - The prayer of Jesus based on this. I pray (ἐρωτῶ, not αἰτεω; see Ver. 9; the ἵνα here defines the contents of the prayer) not that thou shouldest take them away - lift them up and out - out of the world, as thou art taking me by death. This natural desire on the part of some of them is not in harmony with the highest interests of the kingdom. Those interests it would henceforth be their high function to subserve. There is much testimony for them to bear, there are many great facts for them completely to grasp, many aspects of truth which they must put into words for the life and salvation of souls, individuals for them to teach and train, victories for them to win, examples which they must set before the world. If they are all to vanish from the eyes of men as Christ will do, the end of the manifestation will be sacrificed. The Lord prays, not that they should be taken out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them (τηρήσῃς, not φυλάξῃς) from the evil. The ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ is different from <a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Matthew 6:13</a>, ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ, and may possibly mean "from the evil one." Reuss, Meyer, and Revised Version accept the same translation here in virtue of <a href="/1_john/2-13.htm">1 John 2:13</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">1 John 3:12</a>; <a href="/1_john/5-18.htm">1 John 5:18</a>; <a href="/revelation/3-10.htm">Revelation 3:10</a>, where the devil is regarded as dominating, the realm, the atmosphere, the spirit, and the kingdom of this world. Over against this kingdom the Lord Christ, as the devil's great Rival, rules in the kingdom of grace. Luther, Calvin, Hengstenberg. Godet, Authorized Version, and numerous other commentators, have regarded τοῦ πονηροῦ as neuter, as referring to the great characteristic and all-subduing temper, the far-reaching glamour and the godless disposition of the world. Τὸ πονήρον includes ὁ πονήρος. <a href="/commentaries/john/17-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>I am not asking ἐρωτῶ (erōtō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2065.htm">Strong's 2065: </a> Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request. that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. You take ἄρῃς (arēs) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_142.htm">Strong's 142: </a> To raise, lift up, take away, remove. them αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. out of ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world, κόσμου (kosmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. You keep τηρήσῃς (tērēsēs) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5083.htm">Strong's 5083: </a> From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. them αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. evil [one]. πονηροῦ (ponērou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4190.htm">Strong's 4190: </a> Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/17-15.htm">John 17:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/17-15.htm">NT Gospels: John 17:15 I pray not that you would take (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/17-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 17:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 17:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/17-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 17:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 17:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>