The Bible has a few things to say about extortioners and the sin of extortion. An extortioner is someone who obtains money, property, or services from another by coercion, intimidation, or undue exercise of authority. It often involves the abuse of power to deprive someone of their property unlawfully. Extortion is condemned throughout Scripture as contrary to God’s ways.
Old Testament Teachings on Extortion
In the Old Testament, the law given to Moses expressly forbade extortion: “You shall not steal, you shall not deal falsely, you shall not lie to one another” (Leviticus 19:11). This teaches that extortion, which is a form of stealing through force or manipulation, is wrong. The prophet Ezekiel included extortion in a list of wicked sins, along with idolatry, adultery, and oppressing the poor (Ezekiel 22:12). Extortion is also mentioned in the context of bribery as a deed that blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous (Deuteronomy 16:19).
Godly kings like David were exhorted not to exploit their subjects or extort from them: “May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!…For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy” (Psalm 72:2, 12-13). Sadly, many rulers of Israel did not follow these high standards and “hated justice and perverted all equity” (Amos 5:7) by preying on the vulnerable.
The wisdom literature also condemns ill-gotten wealth by extortion. Proverbs 28:16 says, “A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.” Ecclesiastes 5:8 warns that “if you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter.” Extortion was common, but the wise person recognized it as an evil.
New Testament Teachings Against Extortion
Jesus continued the prohibition against extortion in his teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). He included tax collectors among those called to repentance, even though they were known for extorting money from people. Zacchaeus the tax collector demonstrated his change of heart by vowing to Jesus, “If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8).
The apostle Paul listed “extortioners” along with thieves, idolaters, and adulterers as people who will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). He taught that love does no wrong to a neighbor and therefore fulfills the Old Testament prohibitions against extortion (Romans 13:9-10). James condemned rich employers who failed to pay their workers fair wages (James 5:4). The apostle John urged tax collectors to collect only what was required by law, showing that they should not extort money unjustly (Luke 3:12-13).
Why Extortion is Sinful
The Bible condemns extortion for several reasons. First, it is a form of theft and exploitation, taking what rightfully belongs to someone else. As Exodus 20:15 says, “You shall not steal.” Secondly, extortion violates the command to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). Harming others or depriving them of their property is contradictory to love. Third, extortion shows disregard for God’s compassion and justice toward the poor and needy. Finally, it usually involves abusing positions of power like rulership, taxation, or employment in order to take advantage of people, showing disregard for God-given authority.
Examples of Extortioners in the Bible
Tax Collectors
Tax collectors were notorious as extortioners in Jesus’ day. They often demanded far more money than required by the Roman government, padding their profits by exploiting common people. When John the Baptist commanded them not to collect more than authorized, he was calling them to repent of extortion (Luke 3:12-13). Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector when Jesus called him to salvation, prompting Zacchaeus to repay those he had extorted (Luke 19:1-10).
Pontius Pilate
Though not mentioned specifically as an extortioner, Pontius Pilate’s actions toward Jesus imply he may have used his power as governor to extort money. Pilate perceived Jesus posed no real threat to Roman authority, yet he ordered his crucifixion to appease Jewish leaders. Some scholars believe the desire to extract money from the Jews may have motivated his willingness to abuse his power in handing over an innocent man to death.
Felix
Felix was the Roman governor of Judea mentioned in Acts 24. The historian Tacitus claimed Felix “practiced every kind of cruelty and lust, wielding the power of a king with all the instincts of a slave.” When the apostle Paul was imprisoned and on trial before him, Felix hoped Paul would offer him a bribe to secure his release (Acts 24:26). His greed led him to leave Paul imprisoned for two years until a new governor replaced him.
Herod the Great
While the Bible does not specifically mention Herod the Great extorting money, historical sources record his use of extortion to construct many lavish building projects. He taxed the people rigorously and seized land illegally to support his extravagant lifestyle. His most ambitious project was renovating and expanding the Second Temple in Jerusalem, in part to win favor with the Jews he ruled.
Principles Against Extortion in the Bible
Though extortion may benefit the perpetrator in the short term, the Bible makes clear it is against God’s standards of justice and righteousness. Here are some principles that arise from Scripture:
- Do not steal money or property from others, even if you are in a position of power over them.
- Care for the poor and vulnerable; do not exploit their lack of resources for your own gain.
- Treat employees and those under your authority justly, paying them fair wages.
- Be content with what you have without seeking to gain more through illegal means.
- Avoid bribery and the appearance of corruption in handling money and authority.
- Repent if you have extorted money unjustly in the past.
- Trust God to provide for your needs through righteous means.
Restitution for Extortion
The Bible teaches that repenting of sin requires not only changing one’s heart and behavior but also seeking to make restitution. Exodus 22:3 instructs, “But if the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.” While full repayment may not always be possible, extortioners should seek to refund as much as they can to those they exploited. As Zacchaeus demonstrated upon repenting of his greed, the path is to right the wrongs of the past in addition to walking justly in the present (Luke 19:8).
Forgiveness for Extortioners
Though extortion is grievous sin, the good news is God offers full forgiveness to those who turn to Him in repentance. When the tax collector Zacchaeus repented, Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” There is hope and redemption available to all who confess their sins and seek to live uprightly by God’s grace.
Overcoming the Temptation to Extort
For those in positions of power and authority, the temptation toward extortion can be strong at times. Here are some biblical strategies to overcome extortion:
- Recognize that wealth gained by extortion brings no lasting satisfaction, but righteousness brings great reward (Proverbs 11:18).
- Humble yourself before God, acknowledging He is the ultimate authority and you will one day give account to Him (James 4:10).
- Ask God to search your heart and motives to expose any subtle sins (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Study Scriptures on God’s compassion for the poor and oppressed.
- Repent of covetousness and pray for contentment with what God has provided.
- Invite accountability from other believers to guard against corruption.
- Avoid compromising situations and be transparent about any potential conflicts of interest.
Conclusion
The Bible clearly reveals that extortion has no place among God’s people. As children of God, we are called to renounce exploitation and demonstrate Christlike care for the weak and vulnerable. While extortion may seem an easy path to gain and power, in the end it leads only to judgment and separation from God. Yet when we follow the Bible’s high standard of justice and love, we receive an eternal reward and inheritance from the Lord who sees all that is done. By God’s grace, may we live as people of honesty, compassion and integrity in how we handle money, authority, and human relationships.
