John 17 · Verse 15

John 17:15

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

John 17:15, King James Version

John 17:15 in other translations

BSB	I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.
WEB	I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
ASV	I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.
YLT	I do not ask that Thou mayest take them out of the world, but that Thou mayest keep them out of the evil.
DARBY	I do not demand that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them out of evil.
BBE	My prayer is not that you will take them out of the world, but that you will keep them from the Evil One.
Webster	I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil.

What does John 17:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 17:15-19

15-19. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world--for that, though it would secure their own safety, would leave the world unblessed by their testimony. but ... keep them from the evil--all evil in and of the world.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 15. That thou shouldest take them out of the world. Though they were going into trials and persecutions, yet Jesus did not pray that they might be removed soon from them. It was better that they should endure them, and thus spread abroad the knowledge of his name. It would be easy for God to remove his people at once to heaven, but it is better for them to remain, and show the power of religion in supporting the soul in the midst of trial, and to spread his gospel among men.

Shouldest keep them, from the evil. This may mean either from the evil one--that is, the devil, or from evil in general--that is, from apostasy, from sinking in temptation. Preserve them from that evil, or give them such grace that they may endure all trials and be sustained amid them. Mt 16:13. It matters little how long we are in this world if we are kept in this manner.

(v) "that thou shouldest" Gal 1:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 15 That thou shouldest take them out of the world - They must not yet leave the land of Judea: they had not as yet borne their testimony there, concerning Christ crucified and risen again from the dead. To take them away before this work was finished would not answer the gracious design of God. - 1. Christ does not desire that his faithful apostles should soon die, and be taken to God. No: but that they may live long, labor long, and bring forth much fruit. 2. He does not intimate that they should seclude themselves from the world by going to the desert, or to the cloisters; but that they should continue in and among the world, that they may have the opportunity of recommending the salvation of God. 3. Christ only prays that while they are in the world, employed in the work of the ministry, they may be preserved from the influence, του πονηρου, of the evil one, the devil, who had lately entered into Judas, Joh 13:27, and who would endeavor to enter into them, ruin their souls, and destroy their work. A devil without can do no harm; but a devil within ruins all.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 17:11-16

Christ does not pray that they might be rich and great in the world, but that they might be kept from sin, strengthened for their duty, and brought safe to heaven. The prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity. He pleaded with his holy Father, that he would keep them by his power and for his glory, that they might be united in affection and labours, even according to the union of the Father and the Son. He did…

Read the full comment on John 17:11-16 →

John 17:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐκoukNotG3756

ἐρωτῶerōtōI do askG2065

ἵναinathatG2443

ἄρῃςarēsYou may takeG142

αὐτοὺςautousthemG846

ἐκekout ofG1537

τοῦtoutheG3588

κόσμουkosmouworldG2889

ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235

ἵναinathatG2443

τηρήσῃςtērēsēsYou may keepG5083

αὐτοὺςautousthemG846

ἐκekfromG1537

τοῦtou<the>G3588

πονηροῦ.ponērouevil.G4190

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for John 17:15

Psalms 121:7
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
1 Chronicles 4:10
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.
Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Luke 11:4
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Isaiah 38:18-19
For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
Psalms 30:9
What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
Philippians 1:20-26
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: …
Luke 8:38-39
Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
2 Timothy 4:8
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

take.
Ps 30:9; Ec 9:10; Isa 38:18,19; 57:1; Lu 8:38,39; Php 1:20-26
keep.
Ge 48:16; 1Ch 4:10; Ps 121:7; Mt 6:13; Lu 11:4; Ga 1:4; 2Th 3:3
2Ti 4:8; 1Jo 5:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

John 17:14
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:15
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Read all of John 17

John 17:15 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	No ruego que los quites del mundo, sino que los guardes del mal.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Je ne fais pas la demande que tu les ôtes du monde, mais que tu les gardes du mal.
German Elberfelder 1871	Ich bitte nicht, daß du sie aus der Welt wegnehmest, sondern daß du sie bewahrest vor dem Bösen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Non rogo ut tollas eos de mundo, sed ut serves eos a malo.