5.3.8.3 The prohibition against theft in the New Testament

In His conversation with the rich young man (Matthew 19: 16-23) Jesus quoted the Seventh Commandment. In Mark 7: 20-23, the Lord described theft as a sin, which has its root in the hearts of men and defiles them. In these passages, the Seventh Commandment is interpreted in traditional Old Testament terms.

In John 10: 1 the Seventh Commandment is extended and elevated to a spiritual level: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." This is a reference to those who lead others to believe false teachings. They are thieves and robbers who act like wolves, searching for prey among the believers, and trying to snatch them from Christ's flock (Acts 20: 29).