John 17: 13-19, In the Word, Hated by the World

Jesus prays for this small frail band of men which he has protected up to this time.

John 17: 13, I am leaving but they are staying
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 

Jesus is leaving the disciples to a world that will hate them. So he prays for their Joy (in full measure.)

John 17: 14-19, World and Word
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

The disciples have become part of the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of earth will not like that. Jesus prays, not that they escape the world but that they be protected while in it. This involves an understanding of truth, truth which is heavenly wisdom, given by God.

NIV footnotes: "Sanctify" is a translation of the Greek hagiazo which means "set apart for sacred use or make holy". The disciples are to have the same mission as Jesus, representing a different world, owning a different citizenship, part of an eternal kingdom.