Pearls of the Word

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The thief comes to kill

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill [thuo], and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

The Greek word thuo means 'offering to the gods', 'making an offering'. It gave the word thusia meaning 'sacrifice', 'victim' and the word thusiasterion meaning 'altar on which offerings are made'. So the thief only comes to steal and kill (the victims to make an offering) and destroy.

Satan wanted to raise his throne above the angels and to be equal to God (Isaiah 14:13-14). That is why he was cast out of the mountain of God (Ezekiel 28:16). However, he continues to act as a thief, literally 'he who diverts'. Satan diverts for his benefit offerings that are intended to God. But Jesus came to bring sacrifices of praise and worship to God alone.