Keep them from evil: The world is obviously not a paradise, but neither is it a horrifying place to run away from. The evil one is real. The evangelist John refers to him as the “ruler of the world” (12:31; 14:30; 16:11). He is God’s and Jesus’ adversary. But Christ’s power is supreme: at his “hour” which is the accomplishment of his mission through his death and resurrection, the ruler of the world is driven out. Jesus conquers the world; hence, the disciples are to take courage (16:33).
Jesus now prays the Father to watch over the disciples. With his return to the Father, the disciples will be sent to carry out his mission to the world, to bear witness to the truth amid incomprehension, unbelief, rejection, and persecution. He does not ask the Father to take the disciples out of these challenges and troubles; after all, Jesus himself had to face them. Instead, he prays the Father to take care of his disciples that they may not be overcome by the evil one. This is the same petition in the Lord’s Prayer: “Deliver us from evil” (Mt 6:13). The evil one tempts Jesus to avoid the pain and scandal of the cross. He will tempt the disciples to abandon their faith in Jesus when faced with trials and persecutions. The grace of the Father will prevent the disciples from falling.