Jesus says that His disciples have received the Father's word and consequently encounter the world's hostility. They are 'not of the world,' just as Jesus is not of the world. Yet Jesus specifically says that He is not asking the Father to take them out of the world.
Jesus in Context
In the World but Not of the World
Jesus does not ask that His disciples be removed from the world but that they be preserved from evil while living within a world whose values they no longer share.
Introduction
Historical and Cultural Context
The Greek word kosmos, translated 'world,' has several meanings in John. It can refer to the created world, humanity, or—as in many passages—to the human order considered in its resistance to God. The statement that the disciples are not 'of' the world therefore concerns their source, allegiance, and identity rather than their physical location.
Jesus explicitly rejects withdrawal from the world as the solution. His followers remain within human society even though their allegiance has been transformed.
Why It Matters
The distinction between being 'in' the world and being 'of' it is essential for understanding Jesus' prayer. Christian discipleship is not portrayed here as escape from society. Jesus expects His followers to remain present within the world while being protected from evil and living according to the revelation they have received.