κλέπτω
I steal
Definition
The verb κλέπτω means 'to steal' or 'to take by theft.' In the New Testament, it consistently refers to the act of taking another's property dishonestly or secretly, as seen in the commandments cited in Matthew 19:18 and Mark 10:19. It can also imply a broader sense of deceitful or clandestine action, such as the false claim that Jesus' disciples stole his body in Matthew 28:13. In John 10:10, Jesus uses it metaphorically, contrasting the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy with his own life-giving purpose.
Biblical Usage
κλέπτω is used primarily in ethical teachings, especially in lists of commandments (e.g., Matthew 19:18, Luke 18:20) and in Jesus' teachings about earthly treasures (Matthew 6:19-20). It appears in narrative contexts involving deception, as in the plot to claim the disciples stole Jesus' body (Matthew 27:64, 28:13). The usage is straightforward and literal except for its significant metaphorical application in John 10:10, where it describes the destructive intent of adversaries opposed to Christ.
Etymology
Derived from the ancient Greek verb κλέπτω, meaning 'to steal, to act secretly.' It is related to the noun κλέπτης (G2812, 'thief') and shares an Indo-European root, giving us English cognates like 'kleptomania.' The core idea involves stealth and dishonest appropriation.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines a fundamental breach of God's moral law, the Eighth Commandment. In John 10:10, its metaphorical use elevates it beyond simple theft to describe the character and destructive purpose of those (like false shepherds or the devil) who oppose the salvation and abundant life offered by Jesus. Understanding this Greek term highlights the contrast between the life-taking nature of sin and the life-giving nature of Christ.
In the first-century Greco-Roman and Jewish world, stealing was not only a civil crime but a serious sin against God and community. The commandment protected the economic stability and social trust essential for community life. The accusation in Matthew 28:13 that disciples would 'steal' a body leverages the cultural shame and criminality associated with the act to discredit the resurrection claim.
ἁρπάζω (harpazō, G726) — to seize, snatch away, often by force; ἀποστερέω (apostereō, G650) — to defraud, deprive, or withhold what is rightfully due
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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