Master's Prayer Network

A — The Account from the Gospel of Luke

Opening Comments: This is a very brief passage, 188 words in the NIV text, and it can be read in less than two minutes. There are points of directly revealed information, but others are implied or can be inferred from the wording, or from comparison with similar passages of scripture. Scripture is always consistent in truth, and there is no extraneous text, but rather all can be profitable through closer examination.

B — Jericho and “Passing Through”

We should not miss the statement that Jesus was passing through Jericho. This was as he was on his way to Jerusalem for the final events in his ministry on earth. Matthew and Mark record the healing of a blind man outside of Jericho as does Luke, though there are some differences in those accounts. Zacchaeus is not mentioned in any of the other three gospels: in fact the name of Zacchaeus appears nowhere in the New Testament except in this passage in Luke. However, the Greek name is of Hebrew origin from Zakkay, and that name appears twice in Ezra and once in Nehemiah as part of the genealogical record. A literal meaning of the name is “pure” and the root word can also have the meaning of bright or shining.

C — Zacchaeus Was Determined to at Least See Jesus for Himself

Zacchaeus did not want to miss the opportunity even just to see this man who was attracting so much attention wherever he went, but it seems apparent he was not expecting to entertain Jesus as a guest. Knowing the outcome, we can say the Holy Spirit was drawing Zacchaeus for himself, and for the impact this would make on others who witnessed what was to happen. Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore-fig tree so he could see clearly from a higher vantage point, since his short stature would have made it difficult for him to have a good view past the crowd that had already formed along the way.

We are not told of the reaction of the disciples traveling with Jesus, but he looked directly at Zacchaeus and said “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus was delighted by this and lost no time in coming down from the tree to gladly host Jesus at his house.

D — Tax Collectors, or Publicans, as Described in Scripture

Most of the New Testament record of comments from Jews about these officials identifies them with sinners, and the mention that Zacchaeus was rich may have made him even more despised than were most publicans. The Greek term translated as “chief tax collector” appears only here in all of the New Testament, and it may be that Zacchaeus was over other tax collectors, or that he was simply more prosperous than most. The Jews who were subjected to foreign rule in their homeland, would generally not look favorably on one of their own countrymen who became wealthy from serving the foreign government that exacted taxes. The text tells us the crowd’s reaction: “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

An earlier passage from the gospel of Luke tells us of how one publican was called by Jesus to be a disciple, and then this man (named Levi, or Matthew) made a great feast for Jesus, which was attended by many other publicans. “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” (Luke 5:29–30 AV).

E — Zacchaeus Exhibits an Exuberant Response to the Presence of Jesus

Zacchaeus was delighted that Jesus came to his house, and he made a commitment directly to Jesus. Notice however, what Zacchaeus had said: 1) I give half of what I have to the poor, and 2) “if” I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four fold! It seems that Zacchaeus was touched by this truth that was spoken by Jesus at another time. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15 AV). How many Christians take this to heart so dramatically as did Zacchaeus? With his wealth cut in half by his first pledge, Zacchaeus further pledges to pay back four-fold anyone he has cheated. If all of his wealth had been obtained by over charging taxes, the multiplied repayment from the remaining half would surely have made him a pauper. The most important factor for Zacchaeus was that he became accepted in the eyes of the all-knowing Lord.

Jesus used a parable in a passage in Matthew to illustrate apparent obedience versus true obedience through change of heart. Then he applied that parable to the chief priests and elders in a less than flattering manner. “Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him.” (Matthew 21:31–32 AV).

F — Salvation Has Come to This House

Jesus made two very interesting remarks after Zacchaeus had spoken. He first said, “Salvation has come to this house today,” he then identified Zacchaeus as a son of Abraham. Too many Jews were prone to place their faith in their ancestry and traditions as the means to be accepted by God, and did not acknowledge that they needed the mercy of the Lord to be saved from their condition of sin. John the Baptist had made a strong statement about depending only on ancestry. “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation.” (Exodus 15:2 AV). Paul gives us this perspective on those who are true sons of Abraham by faith: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26,29 AV).

G — The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost

It is crucial that we consider first how we have been lost to death, through sin, so we can accept that we are in need of a Savior to do for us what we could never accomplish for ourselves. Jesus made this declaration about the scripture and eternal life, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39 AV). Paul tells us what Christ Jesus provides, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22 AV). Paul is not talking about being made alive in our present physical bodies which exist as corrupted by sin, but our hope is in eternal life as incorruptible. So all praise goes to our Lord Jesus Christ for as Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 AV).