1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:1-10 NIV)
Jesus and Zacchaeus
Many were undoubtedly converted to the faith of Christ, though their accounts are not recorded in the Gospels. However, the conversion of some, whose cases were extraordinary, is recorded—such as that of Zacchaeus. Christ passed through Jericho (Luke 19:1). Though this city was built under a curse, Christ honored it with his presence, for the gospel removes the curse. Though it should not have been built, it was not a sin to live in it once it was.
At this time, Christ was traveling from the other side of the Jordan to Bethany near Jerusalem to raise Lazarus. As he went to perform one great work, he did many along the way, doing good both to souls and bodies. Here, we see an instance of his work in saving a soul.
Who Zacchaeus Was
Zacchaeus was a Jew, as indicated by his name, which was common among the Jews at the time. He was the chief among the tax collectors, a receiver-general, with other tax collectors working under him. He may have been a farmer of the customs. While tax collectors often came to Christ, here was one who was chief among them and still sought him. Christ came to save even the worst sinners, including the chief of tax collectors.
He was also a rich man. Most lower-ranking tax collectors struggled financially, but Zacchaeus had accumulated a good estate. Christ had recently stated how difficult it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, yet here was a rich man who had been lost and was now found.
How Zacchaeus Encountered Christ
His Curiosity – He was eager to see Jesus and learn what kind of man he was, having heard much about him (Luke 19:3). It is natural to want to see famous people, but true wisdom is seeking Christ with the eye of faith.
His Challenge – Being short and unable to see over the crowd, he faced an obstacle. Unlike popes who used to be carried on shoulders during processions, Christ did not seek attention, elevate himself, or allow himself to be carried on shoulders for him to be seen. Instead, he moved humbly among the people.
His Determination – Unwilling to let his height stop him, Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. Those who truly desire to see Christ will go to great lengths to do so, overcoming difficulties and making use of every advantage.
Christ’s Call and Zacchaeus’s Response
When Jesus got to the Sycamore tree, he looked up, saw Zacchaeus, and called him by name, telling him to come down quickly because he intended to stay at his house that day (Luke 19:5). Overjoyed at the honor, he hurried down and welcomed Jesus joyfully (Luke 19:6). His reception of Christ into his house symbolized his reception of him into his heart. When Christ calls, we must answer quickly and with joy. He must make haste because delays are dangerous.
The People’s Complaint
The people murmured, saying Jesus had gone to be the guest of a sinner (Luke 19:7). Let’s take note of this:
- Though many tax collectors were corrupt, that did not mean all were. We must be careful not to judge others unfairly.
- Even if Zacchaeus had sinned, that did not mean he could never change. God allows room for repentance, and so must we.
- Christ had no fear of being corrupted by sinners but sought to save them. If a physician avoids the sick, how can they be healed?
Zacchaeus’s Repentance
Zacchaeus publicly demonstrated his repentance (Luke 19:8). Unlike the Pharisee who boasted of his good works, Zacchaeus sought to prove the sincerity of his faith and repentance.
- His Generosity – He declared, “Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor.” This was not merely a promise for the future but an immediate act. He was willing to make up for his past neglect by giving generously. It is reasonable to assume that he made restitution first and then gave to the poor, as he could not consider his wealth truly his until he had repaid what he owed.
- His Restitution – He acknowledged that he had gained some of his wealth unjustly by false accusation. Tax collectors were known for charging people more than the actual tax amount and falsely accusing them before the Roman authorities if they refused to pay. This way, they could use military force to collect excessive demands. In every instance where Zacchaeus had wronged someone in this way, he promised to make full restitution by repaying four times as required by the law for concealed theft. True repentance includes making things right with those we have wronged.
Christ’s Approval
Jesus declared that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’s house that day because he, too, was a son of Abraham (Luke 19:9-10). Zacchaeus, now converted, would be a blessing to his household. When a leader turns to God, their home benefits. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). The whole world is lost because of sin—like a city in rebellion, a traveler who has strayed, a sick man beyond cure, or a prisoner sentenced to death. But Christ came to rescue, seeking out those who were lost and bringing them back to God.
The entire story implies that Zacchaeus was previously a man of bad character, but Jesus, recognizing his sincere repentance and humility, declared that salvation had come to his house. Though he and his family had been estranged from God, they were now restored, for Zacchaeus was not only a descendant of Abraham by birth but also by faith.