1. (ληστής) 'robber, bandit.' Used by the Lord in reference to those who bought and sold in the temple. Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46 . In the parable of the Good Samaritan the traveller fell among robbers. Luke 10:30,36 . When the Lord was arrested He asked if they had come out as against a robber. Matthew 26:55; Mark 14:48; Luke 22:52 . The two malefactors crucified with the Lord were also men of this character. Matthew 27:38,44; Mark 15:27 . The same Greek word is translated 'robber' in the A.V. in John 10:1,8; John 18 : 40; 2 Corinthians 11:26 .
2. κλέπτης, 'thief.' Those who break through and steal secretly. Matthew 6:19,20 . This is the word employed in the expression "as a thief in the night," to which the unexpected coming of the Lord to the world is compared. 1 Thessalonians 5:2,4; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; etc. It is applied to Judas. John 12:6 . The word 'thief' in the A.V. is always this word except in the passages quoted under No. 1.