Home/Topics/Theft and Thieves

What the Bible Says About Theft and Thieves

Overview

The Bible addresses theft and thieves across 63 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Exodus, Leviticus and Matthew. Closely related themes include Theft, Dishonesty, Adultery and Restitution. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

Key Bible verses about theft and thieves

Old Testament

Exodus

Exodus 20:15

Thou shalt not steal.

Exodus 21:16

And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 22:1

If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. or a sheep: or, or a goat

Exodus 22:2

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

Exodus 22:3

If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Exodus 22:4

If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

Exodus 22:10

If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

Exodus 22:11

Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

Exodus 22:12

And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

Exodus 22:13

If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

Exodus 22:14

And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.

Exodus 22:15

But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.

Leviticus

Leviticus 6:2

If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand

Leviticus 6:3

Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

Leviticus 6:4

Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,

Leviticus 6:5

Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. in the day: or, in the day of his being found guilty: Heb. in the day of his trespass

Leviticus 6:6

And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:

Leviticus 6:7

And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.

Leviticus 19:11

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Leviticus 19:13

Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 6:19

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Matthew 6:20

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Matthew 15:19

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Matthew 19:18

He saith unto him, Which?1161 Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Matthew 21:13

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.

Matthew 27:38

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Matthew 27:44

The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

People in the Bible and theft and thieves

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying theft and thieves for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 20:15, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Exodus, Leviticus and Matthew each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Theft, Dishonesty, Adultery and Restitution.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about theft and thieves?

The Bible addresses theft and thieves across 63 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Exodus, Leviticus and Matthew. Closely related themes include Theft, Dishonesty, Adultery and Restitution. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus.

How many Bible verses are about theft and thieves?

The Bible references theft and thieves in 63 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention theft and thieves?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 20:15: “Thou shalt not steal.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with theft and thieves?

Jesus.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on theft and thieves.

Preach a series on Theft and Thieves