The customary acceptation of the word orphans is well known to be that of "children deprived of their parents;" but the force of the Greek word ὀρφάνους (rendered comfortless in the king James version, John 14:18) implies the case of those who have lost some dear protecting friend; some patron, though not strictly a father: and in this sense it is used, 1 Thessalonians 2:17 : "We also, brethren, being taken away from our care over you," ἀπορφανισθεντες. Corresponding to this import of the word it may be used by Christ in the passage of John's Gospel.