Book of John - Chapter 17 - Verse 15

In this verse, Jesus is praying to God with a specific request for his followers - he asks that God does not remove them from the world, despite the challenges and temptations they may face. Instead, he asks for them to be protected from evil. This prayer serves as a reminder that while life may present difficulties and struggles, God is present to guide and protect those who believe in him. By asking God to keep his followers from evil, Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual protection and the role of faith in overcoming adversity. This verse is a message of hope and assurance that God is always watching over his children, even in the midst of a sinful world.

One theological interpretation of the verse "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" is that it emphasizes the believer's role in the world. Jesus is praying to God to protect his disciples from the evil present in the world while they continue to live and interact within it. This verse highlights the tension between living in the world but not being of the world, as Christians are called to be a light in the darkness and a witness to the truth. The emphasis on being kept from evil suggests that believers are not immune to the challenges and temptations of the world, but that God's protection is essential in overcoming them. Word studies on phrases like "take them out" and "keep them from" can illuminate the nuances of the original language and provide deeper insights into the meaning of the verse.