"to steal, Mt. 6:19, 20; 19:18; to take away stealthily, remove secretly, Mt. 27:64; 28:13"
Definition and meaning
to steal, Mt. 6:19, 20; 19:18; to take away stealthily, remove secretly, Mt. 27:64; 28:13
In the original Greek the word is written: κλέπτω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of klepto (G2813) across the King James Bible.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
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Common questions
Strong's G2813 (klepto) is a Greek word that means: to steal, Mt. 6:19, 20; 19:18; to take away stealthily, remove secretly, Mt. 27:64; 28:13 It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word klepto (G2813) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2813 is klepto, a Greek word defined as: to steal, Mt. 6:19, 20; 19:18; to take away stealthily, remove secretly, Mt. 27:64; 28:13. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
klepto is a Greek word found in the New Testament.