Which is correct, thieves or robbers?
Introduction. The full question is, "my translation refers to the men crucified on either side of Jesus as robbers, but I always hear them called thieves; is there a difference between thieves and robbers?" (see Matt 27: 44; Luke 23: 39-43).
The Greek language is a precise language. The precision of the Koine Greek is probably one reason the Holy Spirit choose it to reveal the final will of God via the New Testament (Heb. 1: 1-2; 1 Cor. 2: 13). However, this precision is sometimes lost in translation. For example, the person coming to God is taught to be "baptized" (Mk. 16: 16; Acts 2: 38). The word baptized (baptizo) means immersion. There was another word for sprinkling (rhantizo) and still another for pouring (proschusis). It is unfortunate that English translators chose not to translate it (give the meaning), but to transliterate it (express it using English letters).
There are three different Greek words involved in our study. In Luke 23: 39 the two men on either side of Jesus are called "malefactors" (KJV, ASV), "criminals" (NKJV, NASB, NIV), or "evil-doers" (YLT). The underlying Greek word is kakourgos (kakos, evil and ergon, work; hence, evil worker). In Matt. 27:44 they are called "thieves" (KJV) or "robbers" (NKJV, NASB, YLT) or "rebels" (NIV). The related Greek word is lestes which identifies a one who "plundered openly and by violence" (W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary). This is in contrast to the Greek word kleptes (from which we get the word kleptomaniac) which describes a thief who normally performed his deeds in the night without confrontation or violence (Matt. 24:43; John 12:6; 1 Thes. 5: 2). Since lestes is used in Matt. 27:44 to describe these evil-workers, "robbers" is the better translation.
Conclusion. The men crucified with Jesus had not only stolen from others, but they had evidently been violent men as well. Notwithstanding, when one of the robbers repented, he was personally forgiven by Jesus and saved (Luke 23:39-43; Matt. 9:6). Likewise, those present in Acts 2 were charged with the actual murder of the Son of God (Acts 2: 26-36). But when they received the word of God (involving belief, repentance, confession, and baptism), they were likewise forgiven and saved (Acts 2: 38-42; Rom. 10:10). If such people could be saved, how about you?
The Greek language is a precise language. The precision of the Koine Greek is probably one reason the Holy Spirit choose it to reveal the final will of God via the New Testament (Heb. 1: 1-2; 1 Cor. 2: 13). However, this precision is sometimes lost in translation. For example, the person coming to God is taught to be "baptized" (Mk. 16: 16; Acts 2: 38). The word baptized (baptizo) means immersion. There was another word for sprinkling (rhantizo) and still another for pouring (proschusis). It is unfortunate that English translators chose not to translate it (give the meaning), but to transliterate it (express it using English letters).
There are three different Greek words involved in our study. In Luke 23: 39 the two men on either side of Jesus are called "malefactors" (KJV, ASV), "criminals" (NKJV, NASB, NIV), or "evil-doers" (YLT). The underlying Greek word is kakourgos (kakos, evil and ergon, work; hence, evil worker). In Matt. 27:44 they are called "thieves" (KJV) or "robbers" (NKJV, NASB, YLT) or "rebels" (NIV). The related Greek word is lestes which identifies a one who "plundered openly and by violence" (W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary). This is in contrast to the Greek word kleptes (from which we get the word kleptomaniac) which describes a thief who normally performed his deeds in the night without confrontation or violence (Matt. 24:43; John 12:6; 1 Thes. 5: 2). Since lestes is used in Matt. 27:44 to describe these evil-workers, "robbers" is the better translation.
Conclusion. The men crucified with Jesus had not only stolen from others, but they had evidently been violent men as well. Notwithstanding, when one of the robbers repented, he was personally forgiven by Jesus and saved (Luke 23:39-43; Matt. 9:6). Likewise, those present in Acts 2 were charged with the actual murder of the Son of God (Acts 2: 26-36). But when they received the word of God (involving belief, repentance, confession, and baptism), they were likewise forgiven and saved (Acts 2: 38-42; Rom. 10:10). If such people could be saved, how about you?