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 Luke 23: 39-43; Matt 27: 44).
The Greek language is a precise language. The precision of the Koine Greek is probably one reason the Holy Spirit choose to reveal the final will of God in Greek (Heb. 1: 1, 2; 1 Cor. 2: 13). This precision, however, 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).
There are three different words involved in our study. The two men on either side of Jesus are called malefactors (Luke 23: 39). Malefactor is from the Greek kakourgos (kakos, evil and ergon, work; hence, evil worker). Thief is from kleptes. A thief normally performed his deeds in the night without confrontation or violence (see 1 Thes. 5: 2 and W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary). Kleptes is never used regarding these men. The third word is lestes. This word identifies a robber or one who "plundered openly and by violence" as opposed to a thief (kleptes, see W. E. Vine). Lestes is used to describe these malefactors (Matt. 27: 44). Hence, robbers (not thieves) is the correct translation in Matthew 27: 44.
Conclusion. The men crucified with Jesus had not only stolen from others, but they had evidently been violent men as well. If such a man could repent of his deeds and could be saved, how about you? (see Luke 23: 39-43). Those present in Acts 2 were charged with the actual murder of the Son of God (Acts 2: 26-36). Notwithstanding, when they received the word of God (involving belief, repentance, confession, and baptism), they were saved (Acts 2: 38-42).
The Greek language is a precise language. The precision of the Koine Greek is probably one reason the Holy Spirit choose to reveal the final will of God in Greek (Heb. 1: 1, 2; 1 Cor. 2: 13). This precision, however, 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).
There are three different words involved in our study. The two men on either side of Jesus are called malefactors (Luke 23: 39). Malefactor is from the Greek kakourgos (kakos, evil and ergon, work; hence, evil worker). Thief is from kleptes. A thief normally performed his deeds in the night without confrontation or violence (see 1 Thes. 5: 2 and W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary). Kleptes is never used regarding these men. The third word is lestes. This word identifies a robber or one who "plundered openly and by violence" as opposed to a thief (kleptes, see W. E. Vine). Lestes is used to describe these malefactors (Matt. 27: 44). Hence, robbers (not thieves) is the correct translation in Matthew 27: 44.
Conclusion. The men crucified with Jesus had not only stolen from others, but they had evidently been violent men as well. If such a man could repent of his deeds and could be saved, how about you? (see Luke 23: 39-43). Those present in Acts 2 were charged with the actual murder of the Son of God (Acts 2: 26-36). Notwithstanding, when they received the word of God (involving belief, repentance, confession, and baptism), they were saved (Acts 2: 38-42).