Luke 19:1-10

KJV ¹ And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ² And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. ³ And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. ⁴ And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. ⁶ And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. ⁷ And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. ⁸ And Zacchaeus 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. ⁹ And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. CEV ¹ Jesus was going through Jericho, ² where a man named Zacchaeus lived. He was in charge of collecting taxes and was very rich. ^3-4 Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. ⁵ When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.” ⁶ Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus. ⁷ Everyone who saw this started grumbling, “This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.” ⁸ Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.” ⁹ Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. ¹⁰ The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”

CONTENTS

Verse 1

Luke 19:1

KJV ¹ And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. CEV ¹ Jesus was going through Jericho,

Entered and passed through

See note a for map.
See note b for chart.

For the time, circumstances, and background of this incident see on Mark 10:46

KJV ⁴⁶ And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. CEV ⁴⁶ Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. And as they were leaving, they were followed by a large crowd. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting beside the road.
. It was probably the week before the Passover of A.D. 31, and Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.

Verse 2

Luke 19:2

KJV ² And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. CEV ² where a man named Zacchaeus lived. He was in charge of collecting taxes and was very rich.

Zacchæus

Gr. Zakchaios, from the Heb. Zakkai , meaning “pure.” A person bearing the name Zakkai is mentioned in the OT (see Ezra 2:9

KJV ⁹ The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. CEV ^2-20 Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah were in charge of the ones who were coming back. And here is a list of how many returned from each family group: 2,172 from the family of Parosh; 372 from the family of Shephatiah; 775 from the family of Arah; 2,812 descendants of Jeshua and Joab from the family of Pahath Moab; 1,254 from the family of Elam; 945 from the family of Zattu; 760 from the family of Zaccai; 642 from the family of Bani; 623 from the family of Bebai; 1,222 from the family of Azgad; 666 from the family of Adonikam; 2,056 from the family of Bigvai; 454 from the family of Adin; 98 from the family of Ater, also known as Hezekiah; 323 from the family of Bezai; 112 from the family of Jorah; 223 from the family of Hashum; and 95 from the family of Gibbar.
; Nehemiah 7:14

KJV ¹⁴ The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. CEV ^8-25 Here is how many had returned from each family group: 2,172 from Parosh; 372 from Shephatiah; 652 from Arah; 2,818 from Pahath Moab, who were all descendants of Jeshua and Joab; 1,254 from Elam; 845 from Zattu; 760 from Zaccai; 648 from Binnui; 628 from Bebai; 2,322 from Azgad; 667 from Adonikam; 2,067 from Bigvai; 655 from Adin; 98 from Ater, also known as Hezekiah; 328 from Hashum; 324 from Bezai; 112 from Hariph; and 95 from Gibeon.
). There is no basis for considering the story of Zacchaeus another version of the story of the call of Matthew, as some modern expositors do, especially since Luke records the latter incident also (see Luke 5:27-32

KJV ²⁷ And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. ²⁸ And he left all, rose up, and followed him. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? ³¹ And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. ³² I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. CEV ²⁷ Later, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Come with me.” ²⁸ Levi left everything and went with Jesus. ²⁹ In his home Levi gave a big dinner for Jesus. Many tax collectors and other guests were also there. ³⁰ The Pharisees and some of their teachers of the Law of Moses grumbled to Jesus' disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with those tax collectors and other sinners?” ³¹ Jesus answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. ³² I didn’t come to invite good people to turn to God. I came to invite sinners.”
). Zacchaeus was obviously a Jew (see verse 9); thus the bystanders protested Jesus’ association with him on the basis that he was “a sinner,” not that he was a Gentile (see on verse 7). See on Mark 2:14-15

KJV ¹⁴ And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. ¹⁵ And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. CEV ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, “Come with me!” So he got up and went with Jesus. ¹⁵ Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Levi’s house. Many tax collectors and other sinners had become followers of Jesus, and they were also guests at the dinner.
.

Chief among the publicans

Gr. architelones, a compound word meaning “chief tax collector.” Compare archiereus, “chief priest” (see Mark 2:26

KJV ²⁶ How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? CEV ²⁶ It was during the time of Abiathar the high priest. David went into the house of God and ate the sacred loaves of bread that only priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his followers.”
). Today we might speak of Zacchaeus as a tax commissioner, or as a collector of revenue. Evidently he was a wealthy customs officer in charge of collections at the important Judean frontier city of Jericho, which was the port of entry for all traffic crossing the river Jordan from the east. The ford to the east of Jericho is said to have been one of the three important points between the Lake of Galilee and the Dead Sea at which that river could be crossed, even in springtime. The evangelist Luke frequently mentions tax collectors (see Luke 3:12

KJV ¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? CEV ¹² When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, “Teacher, what should we do?”
; Luke 5:27

KJV ²⁷ And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. CEV ²⁷ Later, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Come with me.”
; Luke 7:29

KJV ²⁹ And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. CEV ²⁹ Everyone had been listening to John. Even the tax collectors had obeyed God and had done what was right by letting John baptize them.
; Luke 15:1

KJV ¹ Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. CEV ¹ Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus.
; Luke 18:10

KJV ¹⁰ Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. CEV ¹⁰ Two men went into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
), and in each instance he speaks of these social outcasts in a favorable way, in harmony with his characteristic emphasis on Jesus as a friend of the poor, the oppressed, and the outcasts of society.

He was rich

With the power of Rome back of them, tax collectors generally collected from the people more than the law called for (see note c about Taxation; see Luke 3:12

KJV ¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? CEV ¹² When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, “Teacher, what should we do?”
).

Verse 3

Luke 19:3

KJV ³ And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. CEV ^3-4 Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree.

Sought to see Jesus

Possibly he had desired for some time to find an opportunity to see Him. John the Baptist’s early work was done at Bethabara (Bethany), unidentified, but on the eastern bank of the Jordan, perhaps near Jericho (see on Matthew 3:2

KJV ² And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. CEV ² He said, “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here.”
; John 1:28

KJV ²⁸ These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. CEV ²⁸ John said this as he was baptizing east of the Jordan River in Bethany.
), and Zacchaeus had joined the throngs that went out to hear him preach (DA 553 [ID:1647640682409]). Conceivably he might have been among the tax collectors who asked John, “Master, what shall we do?” (see Luke 3:12

KJV ¹² Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? CEV ¹² When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, “Teacher, what should we do?”
). Zacchaeus was impressed with John’s message, and though he was not truly converted at that time, John’s words began to work like leaven in his heart (DA 553 [ID:1647640682409]). Prior to this time Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus and had begun the task of confession and restitution (DA 553, 555 [ID:1647640682409]). With hunger of heart he had been longing for an opportunity to see Jesus and learn from Him the way of life more perfectly. To some extent he had already put the principles of the gospel to work in his own life, by acting in harmony with the principles found in Leviticus 25:17

KJV ¹⁷ Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God. CEV ¹⁷ I am the Lord your God, so obey me and don’t cheat anyone.
, Leviticus 25:35-37

KJV ³⁵ And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. ³⁶ Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. ³⁷ Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. CEV The Lord said: ³⁵ If any of your people become poor and unable to support themselves, you must help them, just as you are supposed to help foreigners who live among you. ^36-37 Don’t take advantage of them by charging any kind of interest or selling them food for profit. Instead, honor me by letting them stay where they now live.
(see on Luke 19:8

KJV ⁸ And Zacchaeus 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. CEV ⁸ Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.”
). Compare Matthew’s experience (see on Mark 2:13

KJV ¹³ And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. CEV ¹³ Once again, Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee. A large crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.
, Mark 2:14

KJV ¹⁴ And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. CEV ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the place for paying taxes, and Jesus said to him, “Come with me!” So he got up and went with Jesus.
).

Who he was

That is, Zacchaeus wished to see who Jesus was, to pick Him out of the crowd that thronged about Him in the street.

Could not for the press

The narrow streets of ancient cities, often scarcely wider from wall to wall than a man’s outstretched arms could reach, would make Zacchaeus’ problem even more difficult.

Verse 4

Luke 19:4

KJV ⁴ And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. CEV ^3-4 Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree.

He ran before

Zacchaeus heard the news of Jesus’ arrival as the Master entered Jericho (see DA 553 [ID:1647640682409]). No doubt with the throngs of people passing through the city on the way to the Passover the chief tax collector (see on verse 2) would be more than usually busy. But he left everything in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

Climbed up

A rather undignified procedure for a well-dressed gentleman such as Zacchaeus. He was willing to be thought odd rather than miss the opportunity of a fleeting glimpse of the Man he so much wanted to see. It is likely that the tree Zacchaeus climbed was on the western outskirts of the city (see on Mark 10:46

KJV ⁴⁶ And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. CEV ⁴⁶ Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. And as they were leaving, they were followed by a large crowd. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting beside the road.
) rather than in one of the narrow city streets (see on verse 3).

Sycomore

Gr. sukomorea. the sycamore-fig tree, also called the white, or fig, mulberry tree. The name sukomorea is believed to have been derived from sukon, “fig,” and morea, “mulberry tree,” because of the fact that its leaves resembled those of the mulberry tree, and its fruit that of the fig tree. It has low, spreading branches, and makes a fine shade tree. Trees such as this would seldom if ever be found in the narrow streets of ancient cities, but often by the roadside beyond the city gates (see on Mark 10:46

KJV ⁴⁶ And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. CEV ⁴⁶ Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. And as they were leaving, they were followed by a large crowd. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting beside the road.
). See on Amos 7:14

KJV ¹⁴ Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: CEV ¹⁴ I answered: I’m not a prophet! And I wasn’t trained to be a prophet. I am a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees.
; Luke 17:6

KJV ⁶ And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. CEV ⁶ Jesus replied: If you had faith no bigger than a tiny mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree to pull itself up, roots and all, and to plant itself in the ocean. And it would!
.

Verse 5

Luke 19:5

KJV ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. CEV ⁵ When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.”

And saw him

Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the omission of these words.

Abide at thy house

This could refer either to an extended rest during the daytime or to spending the night. This is the only recorded occasion on which Jesus invited Himself to anyone’s home. A man of Zacchaeus’ position would certainly have ample facilities for entertaining guests, and Jesus knew that Zacchaeus would not be embarrassed even if the guests were unexpected. We are not told how Jesus recognized Zacchaeus, so as to be able to call him by name. To be sure, it is possible that some of the bystanders told Him, but it is far more probable that this is an instance of supernatural knowledge similar to that illustrated in John 1:47

KJV ⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! CEV ⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said, “Here is a true descendant of our ancestor Israel. And he isn’t deceitful.”
. Jesus knew that He would be more than welcome; Zacchaeus had greatly desired an opportunity to “see Jesus” (verse 3), and he must have felt highly honored and pleased at the privilege of entertaining this great Teacher in his own home. Jesus knew all this, and went to the tax collector’s home for the specific purpose of instructing him in the way of the kingdom (DA 556 [ID:1647640682409]).

Verse 6

Luke 19:6

KJV ⁶ And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. CEV ⁶ Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus.

Joyfully

Literally, “rejoicing,” from the Gr. chaird (see on Luke 1:28

KJV ²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. CEV ²⁸ The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.”
).

Verse 7

Luke 19:7

KJV ⁷ And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. CEV ⁷ Everyone who saw this started grumbling, “This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.”

Murmured

Gr. diagogguzzo , an emphatic form of gogguzzo, also translated “murmured” (see on Matthew 20:11

KJV ¹¹ And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, CEV ¹¹ they began complaining to the owner of the vineyard.
; Luke 5:30

KJV ³⁰ But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? CEV ³⁰ The Pharisees and some of their teachers of the Law of Moses grumbled to Jesus' disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with those tax collectors and other sinners?”
). There were no doubt also in the throng many citizens of Jericho who had virtually been robbed by Zacchaeus or by his agents, and consequently considered him a thief.

Verse 8

Luke 19:8

KJV ⁸ And Zacchaeus 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. CEV ⁸ Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.”

Stood

Apparently Zacchaeus was walking with Jesus, but upon hearing the angry protests of the crowd (verse 7), he turned to face his detractors, and addressed himself to Jesus.

Half of my goods

Willingness to part freely with the wealth he had unjustly acquired was one of the best possible evidences he could have given of his conversion. “No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation” (DA 555 [ID:1647640682409]). Compare the willing, voluntary undertaking of Zacchaeus with the refusal of the rich young ruler to part with his wealth even when called upon to do so (see on Matthew 19:21-22

KJV ²¹ Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. ²² But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. CEV ²¹ Jesus replied, “If you want to be perfect, go sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower.” ²² When the young man heard this, he was sad, because he was very rich.
). The experience of Zacchaeus was evidence that a rich man could enter the kingdom of heaven (see on Matthew 19:23-26

KJV ²³ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ²⁵ When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? ²⁶ But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. CEV ²³ Jesus said to his disciples, “It’s terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven! ²⁴ In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.” ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, “How can anyone ever be saved?” ²⁶ Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.”
).

The poor

Among the Jews the care of the poor was considered a most important act of piety and applied religion. God had given specific instruction about their care (see Leviticus 19:10

KJV ¹⁰ And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God. CEV ¹⁰ Don’t strip your grapevines clean or gather the grapes that fall off the vines. Leave them for the poor and for those foreigners who live among you. I am the Lord your God.
, Leviticus 19:15

KJV ¹⁵ Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. CEV ¹⁵ Be fair, no matter who is on trial — don’t favor either the poor or the rich.
; Leviticus 25:35-43

KJV ³⁵ And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. ³⁶ Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. ³⁷ Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase. ³⁸ I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God. ³⁹ And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: ⁴⁰ But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile. ⁴¹ And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return. ⁴² For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen. ⁴³ Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God. CEV The Lord said: ³⁵ If any of your people become poor and unable to support themselves, you must help them, just as you are supposed to help foreigners who live among you. ^36-37 Don’t take advantage of them by charging any kind of interest or selling them food for profit. Instead, honor me by letting them stay where they now live. ³⁸ Remember — I am the Lord your God! I rescued you from Egypt and gave you the land of Canaan, so that I would be your God. ³⁹ Suppose some of your people become so poor that they have to sell themselves and become your slaves. ⁴⁰ Then you must treat them as servants, rather than as slaves. And in the Year of Celebration they are to be set free, ⁴¹ so they and their children may return home to their families and property. ⁴² I brought them out of Egypt to be my servants, not to be sold as slaves. ⁴³ So obey me, and don’t be cruel to the poor.
; Esther 9:22

KJV ²² As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. CEV ²² the days when we Jews defeated our enemies. Remember this month as a time when our sorrow was turned to joy, and celebration took the place of crying. Celebrate by having parties and by giving to the poor and by sharing gifts of food with each other.
; Romans 15:26

KJV ²⁶ For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. CEV ^25-26 I am now on my way to Jerusalem to deliver the money that the Lord’s followers in Macedonia and Achaia collected for God’s needy people.
; see on Matthew 5:3

KJV ³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. CEV ³ God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!
).

By false accusation

Zacchaeus had already begun to make restitution of his ill-gotten gains (see on verse 3). Now he set about making a thorough and systematic attempt to restore all that he had acquired wrongfully. This was more than his worst accusers in the throng, the priests, scribes, and Pharisees, could say of their conduct. The Temple traffic afforded them unlimited opportunity for defrauding all those who came to worship (see on Matthew 21:12

KJV ¹² And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, CEV ¹² Jesus went into the temple and chased out everyone who was selling or buying. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of the ones who were selling doves.
).

Restore him fourfold

Where restoration was voluntary, the law of Moses required simply the addition to the principal of one fifth of the amount taken (see Leviticus 6:5

KJV ⁵ Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. CEV ⁵ and pay the owner a fine of twenty percent.
; Numbers 5:7

KJV ⁷ Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed. CEV ⁷ You must confess your guilt and pay the victim in full for whatever damage has been done, plus a fine of twenty percent.
). A fourfold restoration was one of the extreme penalties for deliberate robbery followed by loss of the goods (see Exodus 22:1

KJV ¹ If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. CEV The Lord said: ¹ If you steal an ox and slaughter or sell it, you must replace it with five oxen; if you steal a sheep and slaughter it or sell it, you must replace it with four sheep.
; see on 2 Samuel 12:6

KJV ⁶ And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. CEV ⁶ And because he didn’t have any pity on the poor man, he will have to pay four times what the lamb was worth.”
). Ordinarily the amount restored was to be double that taken, if the original property or money was also recovered (Exodus 22:4

KJV ⁴ If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. CEV ^2-4 But if you cannot afford to replace the animals, you must be sold as a slave to pay for what you have stolen. If you steal an ox, donkey, or sheep, and are caught with it still alive, you must pay the owner double. If you happen to kill a burglar who breaks into your home after dark, you are not guilty. But if you kill someone who breaks in during the day, you are guilty of murder.
, Exodus 22:7

KJV ⁷ If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. CEV ⁷ Suppose a neighbor asks you to keep some silver or other valuables, and they are stolen from your house. If the thief is caught, the thief must repay double.
). The amount Zacchaeus promised to restore was the best of evidence that he had experienced a change of heart.

Verse 9

Luke 19:9

KJV ⁹ And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. CEV ⁹ Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham.

This day

Probably spoken with reference to the decision reflected by the confession and promise of Zacchaeus (verse 8), in view of the transformation that had taken place in his life.

This house

Members of Zacchaeus’ household benefited by the decision he had made.

He also

See Luke 13:16

KJV ¹⁶ And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? CEV ¹⁶ This woman belongs to the family of Abraham, but Satan has kept her bound for eighteen years. Isn’t it right to set her free on the Sabbath?”
. Jewish society had stricken Zacchaeus out of the book of respectability. It had branded him a “sinner” (see ch. 19:7), and therefore ineligible for the rewards the Jews considered automatically came to all literal descendants of father Abraham. In language all could understand, Jesus now reads him into the book of divine favor. For the Jewish concept of the importance and value of literal descent from Abraham see on Matthew 3:9

KJV ⁹ And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. CEV ⁹ And don’t start telling yourselves that you belong to Abraham’s family. I tell you that God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.
; John 8:39

KJV ³⁹ They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. CEV ³⁹ The people said to Jesus, “Abraham is our father!”Jesus replied, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do what Abraham did.
.

Verse 10

Luke 19:10

KJV ¹⁰ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. CEV ¹⁰ The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”

The Son of man

See on Matthew 1:1

KJV ¹ The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. CEV ¹ Jesus Christ came from the family of King David and also from the family of Abraham. And this is a list of his ancestors.
; Mark 2:10

KJV ¹⁰ But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) CEV ¹⁰ I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man,
.

To seek and to save

See on Matthew 1:21

KJV ²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. CEV ²¹ Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
; Matthew 10:6

KJV ⁶ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. CEV ⁶ Go only to the people of Israel, because they are like a flock of lost sheep.
; Luke 15:6

KJV ⁶ And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. CEV ⁶ and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.”
, Luke 15:9

KJV ⁹ And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. CEV ⁹ Then she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found the coin I lost.”
, Luke 15:20

KJV ²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. CEV ²⁰ The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him.
.

That which was lost

See on Matthew 1:21

KJV ²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. CEV ²¹ Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
. One might well expect here the phrase “those who were lost,” meaning all sinners. But Jesus came to restore not only man but also all that had been lost by man’s sin. The world itself will be brought once again to Edenic beauty, inhabited by a sinless race, and all “that which was lost” will be restored in “the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21

KJV ²¹ Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. CEV ²¹ But Jesus must stay in heaven until God makes all things new, just as his holy prophets promised long ago.
).

Extras

b Click me to expand

c Taxation. With the appointment of procurators came Roman taxation. This necessitated a census with a classification of population. An enrollment already had taken place at the time of the birth of Jesus, but whether this was accompanied by a tax is not known (see on Luke 2:1

KJV ¹ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. CEV ¹ About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books.
).

When the first procurator, Coponius, took over the rule of Judea in place of Archelaus, a tax was levied. This was of two kinds, a poll tax (tributum capitis) and a land tax (tributum agri). Both of these were deeply offensive to the Jews: the poll tax as an evidence of enslavement (Josephus Antiquities xviii. 1. 1); the land tax as an offense to Jehovah, the real owner of the land and the dispenser of its bounties.

Although the Jews were thoroughly aroused over this tax, the high priest Joazar persuaded many of them to pay it peacefully. At the same time, how ever, a radical leader named Judas the Galilean stirred up a large number of persons to revolt. Quirinius, the Roman governor of Syria, suppressed this uprising with great sternness (Josephus Antiquities xviii. 1. 1). This movement under Judas probably marks the beginning of the Zealots (see p. 54). It was to this uprising that Gamaliel referred when he advised the Sanhedrin to take no drastic action against the Christians (Acts 5:38-39

KJV ³⁸ And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: ³⁹ But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. CEV ³⁸ So I advise you to stay away from these men. Leave them alone. If what they are planning is something of their own doing, it will fail. ³⁹ But if God is behind it, you cannot stop it anyway, unless you want to fight against God. The council members agreed with what he said,
). From this time on the Romans made no further attempt to tax the Jews directly. Rather, they farmed the taxes out to contractors, the publicans (publicani) of the New Testament. These men were hated and avoided as much as possible (Matthew 11:19

KJV ¹⁹ The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. CEV ¹⁹ But the Son of Man goes around eating and drinking, and you say, “That man eats and drinks too much! He is even a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Yet Wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.
; Matthew 21:31

KJV ³¹ Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. CEV ³¹ Which one of the sons obeyed his father? “The older one,” the chief priests and leaders answered. Then Jesus told them: You can be sure that tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you ever will!
). Levi Matthew was of this despised class. That Jesus would accept him as an associate (Matthew 9:9-13

KJV ⁹ And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. ¹⁰ And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. ¹¹ And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? ¹² But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. ¹³ But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. CEV ⁹ As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Come with me.” Matthew got up and went with him. ¹⁰ Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there. ¹¹ Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?” ¹² Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. ¹³ Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn’t come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.”
) was an astonishment to the patriotic Jews.