THIEF (κλέπτης).—Thieves are mentioned in the following passages of the Gospels, besides several others where Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 substitutes ‘robber’ as the equivalent of λῃ?στής . See Robber. 1. Matthew 6:19-20 = Luke 12:23. Christ’s disciples should have their treasure where thieves do not break (lit. ‘dig’) through and steal. Eastern houses, being commonly of mud or sun-dried brick, are easily broken into; cf. Exodus 22:2, Job 24:16, Ezekiel 12:5, Ezekiel 7:2 . Matthew 24:43 = Luke 12:39. The unexpectedness of Christ’s coming is compared to that of a thief’s entry. This figure seems to have greatly impressed the Apostles; it is echoed several times in the NT (1 Thessalonians 5:2, (4), 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 16:15). 3. John 10:1, John 10:8, John 10:10. False and self-seeking teachers—whether false Christs, or, more probably, Pharisees—are compared to thieves and robbers. 4. John 12:6. Judas ‘was a thief, and having the bag’ (lit. ‘box’) ‘took away what was put therein’ (Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885).
Harold Smith.