NLT:

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

NASB:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

KJV:
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

In these scriptures, Jesus is giving us a contrast:
The thief’s purpose vs. Jesus’s purpose.

• Thief: steal, kill, destroy

• Jesus: life—rich, satisfying, abundant

Here’s an interesting question:
Why does Jesus call him a thief instead of a murderer or destroyer?

To understand that, let’s look at the context: John 10:1–10.

Jesus explains that anyone who sneaks into the sheepfold is a thief and a robber, but the true shepherd enters through the gate. The sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice. They follow him because they know him. They run from a stranger because they don’t.

The people didn’t understand Jesus’ illustration, so He clarified:

• He is the gate.

• He is the way to God.

• Through Him, the sheep find safety, freedom, and good pasture.

And then Jesus states the famous contrast again:
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life.

Those who came before Jesus were thieves and robbers. What did they steal?
Not cars, not money, not comfort.

They stole truth.
They stole relationship with God.

The sheep were being misled—not by the shepherd—and their connection with God was being taken from them.

Continues in the next post.