First century AD · meets Jesus in Jericho around AD 30
Zacchaeus in the Bible
The chief tax collector whom Jesus called by name. Name meaning: The Greek form of Zaccai, a Hebrew name meaning “pure” (also borne by a family of returned exiles, Ezra 2:9); the Bible does not comment on the name
Zacchaeus is “chief among the publicans” in Jericho, a rich man, short in stature, who wants to see Jesus and climbs a sycamore tree. Jesus calls him by name and invites himself to his house. Zacchaeus gives half of his goods to the poor and promises to restore fourfold to anyone he has wronged. Jesus declares, “This day is salvation come to this house” (Luke 19:9).
Key moments
- He climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus Luke 19:4
- Jesus calls him by name Luke 19:5
- He receives Jesus joyfully Luke 19:6
- The crowd murmurs: “a man that is a sinner” Luke 19:7
- He gives half of his goods to the poor Luke 19:8
- He promises to restore fourfold Luke 19:8
- Salvation comes to his house Luke 19:9
- Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost Luke 19:10
Strengths
- Curiosity
- Determination
- Joy
- Generosity
- Concrete repentance
Weaknesses
In the crowd’s eyes, Zacchaeus is “a man that is a sinner” (Luke 19:7). As a rich chief tax collector, he himself admits he may have taken “any thing from any man by false accusation” (Luke 19:8): his position exposed him to abusing his power, and he owns up to it.
Lessons for today
- Jesus takes the initiative: he calls Zacchaeus by name before Zacchaeus asks for anything (Luke 19:5).
- Meeting Jesus changes our relationship with money: Zacchaeus gives to the poor and makes right his wrongs (Luke 19:8).
- Let us not judge like the crowd: Jesus walks into the house of a man everyone else shuns (Luke 19:7, 10).
- Seeking Jesus means getting past obstacles—the crowd, our own smallness, what others think (Luke 19:3-4).
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
People around Zacchaeus
Quiz: how well do you know Zacchaeus?
What was Zacchaeus’s job?
Luke introduces him as “a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich”: he was the head of the tax collectors. Luke 19:2
What kind of tree did Zacchaeus climb to see Jesus?
Zacchaeus “ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree,” because the crowd and his short stature kept him from seeing Jesus, who was to pass that way. Luke 19:4
What share of his goods did Zacchaeus promise to give to the poor?
Zacchaeus said, “the half of my goods I give to the poor.” He added that he would restore fourfold to anyone he had wronged. Luke 19:8
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.