Bible Strands
John 17:15
I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Father in his intercessory prayer, speaking on behalf of the disciples who remain in the world.
The words — ἐρωτῶ (erōtō), "I do ask," carries the weight of a deliberate, specific petition rather than a vague wish; it is paired with the emphatic οὐκ ("not") to mark what is explicitly excluded from the request.
The thread — The motif of divine protection from the evil one recurs in Psalm 121:7, Matthew 6:13, and 1 John 5:18, where the One born of God "protects him" against the evil one.
Why it lands — The prayer does not ask for removal from the world but for preservation within it, which means the reader is not promised escape from opposition but sustained presence in it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Cross-references
- Psalms 121:7 The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.
- 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.
- Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
- 1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only You would bless me and enlarge my territory! May Your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted the request of Jabez.
- Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
- Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
- Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
- Psalms 30:9 “What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?
- Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.