Matthew Henry Commentary John 17:11-16

"And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we [are]. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I 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. I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil [one]. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world." — John 17:11-16 (ASV)

Christ does not pray that they might be rich and great in the world, but that they might be kept from sin, strengthened for their duty, and brought safely to heaven. The prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity. He pleaded with his holy Father that he would keep them by his power and for his glory, so that they might be united in affection and labors, in accordance with the union of the Father and the Son.

He did not pray that his disciples should be removed from the world, that they might escape the rage of men, for they had a great work to do for the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. But he prayed that the Father would keep them from evil: from being corrupted by the world, from the remains of sin in their hearts, and from the power and craft of Satan.

So that they might pass through the world as through an enemy's country, as he had done. They are not left here to pursue the same goals as the people around them, but to glorify God and to serve their generation. The Spirit of God in true Christians is opposed to the spirit of the world.