"a plunderer, robber, highwayman, Mt. 21:13; 26:55; Mk. 11:17; Lk. 10:30; 2 Cor. 11:26; a bandit, brigand, Mt. 27:38, 44; Mk. 15:27; Jn. 18:40; trop. a robber, rapacious imposter, Jn. 10:1, 8"
Definition and meaning
a plunderer, robber, highwayman, Mt. 21:13; 26:55; Mk. 11:17; Lk. 10:30; 2 Cor. 11:26; a bandit, brigand, Mt. 27:38, 44; Mk. 15:27; Jn. 18:40; trop. a robber, rapacious imposter, Jn. 10:1, 8
In the original Greek the word is written: λῃστής
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 lestes (G3027) across the King James Bible.
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
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Common questions
Strong's G3027 (lestes) is a Greek word that means: a plunderer, robber, highwayman, Mt. 21:13; 26:55; Mk. 11:17; Lk. 10:30; 2 Cor. 11:26; a bandit, brigand, Mt. 27:38, 44; Mk. 15:27; Jn. 18:40; trop. a robber, rapacious imposter, Jn. 10:1, 8 It appears 15 times in the King James Bible.
The word lestes (G3027) appears 15 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3027 is lestes, a Greek word defined as: a plunderer, robber, highwayman, Mt. 21:13; 26:55; Mk. 11:17; Lk. 10:30; 2 Cor. 11:26; a bandit, brigand, Mt. 27:38, 44; Mk. 15:27; Jn. 18:40; trop. a. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
lestes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.