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Why did Jesus refer to the unbelieving Jews as thieves and robbers? As these verses make very clear, it is because they consistently — for years — tried to prevent people from entering God’s Kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ. They repeatedly persecuted the Apostles and Disciples, tried to shut them up, and smother their witness. Furthermore, they repeatedly tried to draw away new converts from the Christian faith, and place them back under the bondage of the Mosaic Law, as if Christ’s Sacrifice was not enough.
As many of you will already know, not only did the unbelieving Jews hound, tempt, persecute and eventually kill Jesus — with collusion from Pontius Pilate — but after He rose from the dead, they tried to cover up the fact as well. So indeed, they were thieves and robbers all along. Please refer to the verses below.
But the ancient unbelieving Jews were not, and are not, the only thieves and robbers. Any religion, spiritual leader, political entity, etc., which draws people away from Christ, or which prevents them from believing in Jesus to begin with, is also a thief and robber. It doesn’t matter whether they existed thousands of years ago, or today. They are all thieves and robbers, who rob people of Eternal Life through deception, persecution and other means.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are THIEVES AND ROBBERS: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
John 10:8, KJV
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in . . . Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
Matthew 23:13, 15, KJV
“For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, KJV
”And when they had brought them [the Apostles], they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
Acts 5:27-28, KJV
“Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
Matthew 28:11-15, KJV
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