John 17:15
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus isn't praying for his followers to be removed from the world's troubles, but for protection within them. The key is that His prayer is specifically "from the evil one," emphasizing a personal enemy rather than just general hardship, highlighting the spiritual warfare believers are engaged in.
Jesus is praying for his disciples before his crucifixion, acknowledging that he is leaving the world but they will remain. He emphasizes that they are not "of the world" and will therefore face its hatred. This prayer isn't about shielding them from the world's difficulties but equipping them to endure and overcome its evil influences.
Ever wished God would just whisk you away from all the difficulties of life? Jesus had a different idea for His followers.
Jesus' prayer in John 17:15 is striking because it acknowledges the reality of the world's challenges but doesn't ask for exemption.
Not Removal, But Resilience
Jesus doesn't pray for His disciples to be taken out of the world. Why? Because they have a mission in the world. They are meant to be light and salt, to testify to God's truth and love, and to continue the work Jesus started. Taking them out would negate their purpose.
Strength for the Journey
Instead of removal, Jesus asks for protection. This isn't about an easy life free from struggle, but about being equipped to endure the struggles. It’s about having the inner strength to navigate a fallen world without being overcome by it.
The exact wording of this prayer has sparked discussion for centuries. Is Jesus asking for protection from general 'evil,' or something more personal?
The Greek phrase translated as 'from the evil' (ek tou ponērou) can be interpreted in two ways, but the context strongly favors a personal adversary.
The Subtle Distinction
While 'evil' (neuter) could refer to general wickedness, misfortune, or sin, the way John uses this phrase elsewhere, especially in his letters, points to a specific, personal enemy: Satan, the 'evil one.'
A Personal Battle
Jesus is praying for His followers to be kept out of the hands of the devil. This isn't just about avoiding bad situations, but about resisting the direct influence, deception, and power of Satan, who actively seeks to destroy faith and thwart God's purposes. It's a prayer for spiritual warfare protection.
Understand the original words
ponēros · Greek Adjective/Noun
Refers to Satan, the personal force of malevolence and the adversary of God and His people. It emphasizes the active, deceptive, and destructive work of the enemy in the lives of believers.
Jesus' prayer in John 17:15 reveals a crucial dynamic for believers: the call is not to escape the world's difficulties but to be divinely protected within them, remaining in the world to fulfill God's mission while resisting the influence of evil.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus Christ carried out his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was crucified and resurrected, completing his atoning work and preparing to ascend to the Father.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ascension
Jesus ascended to the Father in heaven after commissioning his disciples to carry on his work.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
In the Upper Room, shortly before his arrest, Jesus offers a final prayer for his disciples, recorded in John 17.
c. AD 30 - 70
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of John 17:15, explaining that 'everyone who has been born of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him,' highlighting the protective power given to believers against the malevolent influence of the evil one.
Matthew 6:13In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, 'and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' This mirrors the prayer in John 17, emphasizing God's role in protecting believers from the temptations and the power of evil, rather than removing them from the world.
Romans 12:2This verse speaks to the same idea of believers remaining in the world but not conforming to its ways: 'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.' It underscores the need for divine protection and transformation to live a holy life amidst worldly pressures.
1 Corinthians 10:13This passage offers assurance that God will not allow believers to be tempted beyond their ability to endure, providing a way out. This aligns with Jesus' prayer in John 17, showing that God's provision is for endurance and overcoming, not for exemption from trials.
Ephesians 6:11vincentJohn 17:15: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."
From the evil (τοῦ πονηροῦ)Or, the evil one. This rendering is according to John's usage. See 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18, 1 John 5:19; and compare John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11. From (ἐκ), literally, out of, means out of the hands of.
cambridgeJohn 17:15: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."
15 . I pray not ] See on John 14:16 . The nature of the protection is made clear to the listening disciples; not exemption from attack and temptation, but freedom from the permanent influence of the enemy. from the evil ] Rather, from the evil one ; comp. 1 John 2:13 ; 1 John 3:12 , and especially John 5:18 . ‘From’ = ‘out of:’ just as Christ is that in which His disciples l…
Jesus isn't praying for his followers to be removed from the world's troubles, but for protection within them. The key is that His prayer is specifically "from the evil one," emphasizing a personal enemy rather than just general hardship, highlighting the spiritual warfare believers are engaged in.
Jesus is praying for his disciples before his crucifixion, acknowledging that he is leaving the world but they will remain. He emphasizes that they are not "of the world" and will therefore face its hatred. This prayer isn't about shielding them from the world's difficulties but equipping them to endure and overcome its evil influences.
Jesus is praying for his disciples before his crucifixion, acknowledging that he is leaving the world but they will remain. He emphasizes that they are not "of the world" and will therefore face its hatred. This prayer isn't about shielding them from the world's difficulties but equipping them to endure and overcome its evil influences.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about John 17:15 is available in the Sola app.
The Early Church Period
The apostles and early believers, though facing intense opposition and persecution, spread the Gospel throughout the known world.
This verse calls believers to 'Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.' It illustrates the 'keeping from the evil one' Jesus prayed for, showing that believers are equipped to actively resist and overcome spiritual adversaries.
"I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." — Jesus isn't praying for his followers to be removed from the world's troubles, but for protection within them. The key is that His prayer is specifically "from the evil one," emphasizing a personal…
