Devine Scripture

John 17:15

What does John 17:15 mean?

A plain-English look at John 17:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 17:15 means

Given the world's hatred, Jesus clarifies the nature of His prayer regarding His disciples' presence in it. He does not ask the Father to remove them from the world, implying they have a mission there. Instead, His prayer is that the Father would protect them from "the evil one"—Satan—who seeks to corrupt, deceive, and destroy. This distinguishes physical presence from spiritual vulnerability, emphasizing the need for divine keeping amidst spiritual warfare.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

My prayer is not that you will take them out of the world, but that you will keep them from the Evil One.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I do not ask that Thou mayest take them out of the world, but that Thou mayest keep them out of the evil.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse directly addresses the practical implications of the world's hatred mentioned in verse 14. It refines the kind of protection Jesus seeks for His disciples, making it clear their mission requires them to remain in the world. This specific request for deliverance from the evil one sets the immediate stage for Jesus' prayer for their spiritual purity and readiness for mission.

v.14I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

v.15This passage

v.16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 57:1

    The 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.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:3

    But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one.

  • Matthew 6:13

    And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

  • 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?

  • 1 John 5:18

    We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not.

  • Genesis 48:16

    the angel who hath 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.

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