Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 17:15

"I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil [one]." — John 17:15 (ASV)

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,

Christ and his people did not go together out of the world all at once. That would have left the world in an utterly forlorn condition, without any help whatever. So he says to his Father, I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,

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

Christ did not pray that his disciples should be taken out of the world. It is very seldom that we ought to present such a petition. If that had been a proper prayer for us to offer, it would have been authorized by the Master. There are times when, in great pain of body, or in deep depression of spirit, the believer, like Elijah under the juniper tree, requests for himself that he may die. If you ever do pray such a prayer, utter it very softly, for the Master does not authorize it, and that is a matter that must be left to the Lord of life and death. Jesus says here, I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil.

Sin is the real evil of the world; the danger of our being entangled in worldly customs, or dropping into the evil ways of an ungodly generation. Christ does pray that we may be kept from the evil that is in the world; and we also may and must pray that the Lord will keep us from the evil by which we are surrounded, and especially from the evil one who seeks our destruction.

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

"Keep them in the world to battle with the evil; make them the salt that prevents putrefaction, and let them not lose their savor, let them not be contaminated by the evil in the midst of which they dwell."

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

Not that they should shut themselves up in monasteries and convents. That is not the prayer of Christ. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.