Leistes refers to a robber, bandit, or revolutionary — not merely a petty thief but an armed brigand or insurrectionist. It appears 15 times in the NT and is significant because Jesus is crucified between two lestai, Barabbas is described as one, and Jesus uses the word both for those who attack the man on the road to Jericho and for those who misuse His Father's house.
The theological richness of leistes is concentrated in two key passages. In the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:30), the man falls among lestai — setting up the entire story of unexpected neighborly mercy. In John 10:1, 8, Jesus distinguishes Himself from those who enter the sheepfold as thieves and lestai — contrasting the true Shepherd who gives life with false messiahs who exploit. Most poignantly, Jesus is crucified between two lestai (Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27) — a criminal's death that becomes the world's redemption. Barabbas, released in Jesus's place, was a leistes (John 18:40). The word thus frames the passion narrative: Christ takes the place of the robber.