Matthew Poole and continuators on John 17:9

9 I pray for them, I pray not for the world : but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine .

The World seemeth here to signifie all mankind, for whom Christ in this place doth not pray; tho some Interpret it of Reprobates, others of Vnbelievers. Christ afterward prayeth for the World, ver. 20. that is, for such who, tho they at present were Unbelievers, yet should be brought to believe by the Apostles Ministry; but to teach us to distinguish in our prayer, our Saviour here distinguisheth, and prayeth for some things, for his chosen ones, which he doth not pray for on the behalf of others; these

he describeth to be such as his Father (whose they were) had given him, either by an Eternal donation, or by working faith in them.