John 17:15
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil.
American King James Version (AKJV)
I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil.
American Standard Version (ASV)
I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one .
Basic English Translation (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's Revision
I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil.
World English Bible
I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
English Revised Version (ERV)
I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.
Clarke's John 17:15 Bible Commentary
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, John 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.
Barnes's John 17:15 Bible Commentary
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. See the notes at Matthew 6:13. It matters little how long we are in this world if we are kept in this manner.
Wesley's John 17:15 Bible Commentary
17:15 That thou wouldest take them out of the world - Not yet: but that thou wouldest keep them from the evil one - Who reigns therein.
