John 17:15
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Original Language Analysis
ἄρῃς
thou shouldest take
G142
ἄρῃς
thou shouldest take
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
4 of 15
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
6 of 15
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
the world
G2889
κόσμου
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
8 of 15
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τηρήσῃς
thou shouldest keep
G5083
τηρήσῃς
thou shouldest keep
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
11 of 15
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
13 of 15
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
Psalms 121:7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.1 John 5:18We 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.2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.Galatians 1:4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:1 Chronicles 4:10And 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.Matthew 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.Luke 11:4And 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.Psalms 30:9What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?2 Timothy 4:8Henceforth 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.Isaiah 57:1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
Historical Context
Spoken hours before His crucifixion in the Upper Room, this prayer reveals Jesus's concern for His post-ascension church. The disciples faced intense pressure to either assimilate into pagan culture or isolate in sectarian communities (like the Essenes at Qumran). Jesus charts a third way: sanctified presence.
Questions for Reflection
- Where are you tempted toward either cultural assimilation or Christian isolationism rather than sanctified engagement?
- How does Christ's prayer for your protection 'from evil' while remaining 'in the world' shape your understanding of holiness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world—Jesus explicitly rejects escapist spirituality. The Greek οὐκ ἐρωτῶ ἵνα ἄρῃς (ouk erōtō hina arēs, 'I do not ask that you take away') shows Christ's disciples must remain embedded in fallen society as redemptive agents. This contradicts both monastic withdrawal and rapture-obsessed theology that minimizes earthly faithfulness.
But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil—The phrase ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ (ek tou ponērou) can mean 'from the evil one' (personal Satan) or 'from evil' (moral corruption). Both are likely intended. Τηρέω (tēreō, 'to keep, guard, preserve') appears throughout John 17 (vv. 11, 12, 15) emphasizing divine protection, not removal. Christ prays for preserved holiness within worldly engagement—the balance Paul later calls being 'in the world but not of it' (cf. Romans 12:2).