In brief
Zacchaeus is a rich man, a chief tax collector of Jericho. Short in stature, he climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus pass by. Jesus looks up, calls him by name and announces that he will stay at his house. Zacchaeus receives him joyfully, promises to give half of his goods to the poor and to restore four times as much to those he wronged. Jesus declares that salvation has come to this house. We remember that Jesus comes to seek what is lost.
What does the name Zacchaeus mean?
His name is generally linked to the Hebrew meaning “pure” or “innocent.” The Bible gives no explanation of this name in the account of Luke 19. The Gospel introduces him as a rich man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector.
The story of Zacchaeus
A man who wants to see Jesus
Luke 19:1-4Jesus enters Jericho and passes through the city. A rich man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, tries to see who Jesus is, but he cannot because of the crowd, since he is short. He runs on ahead and climbs up into a sycamore tree, because Jesus is going to pass that way.
Jesus’ call
Luke 19:5-6When Jesus comes to the place, he looks up and says to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus hurries, comes down and receives Jesus joyfully. The one who was watched from afar becomes the one whom Jesus chooses.
The murmuring of the crowd
Luke 19:7Seeing this, everyone murmurs, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” In the eyes of the crowd, a chief tax collector is someone to avoid. Jesus, for his part, is not afraid to enter his house, and he shows that he comes for those who are rejected.
Zacchaeus’ repentance
Luke 19:8Zacchaeus, standing before the Lord, says, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” His meeting with Jesus changes his relationship to money and to those he has wronged.
Salvation enters his house
Luke 19:9-10Jesus says to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” This verse sums up the mission of Jesus and the meaning of this meeting.
What Zacchaeus teaches us
- Jesus calls each person by name and does not let himself be stopped by the labels the crowd gives.
- Seeking Jesus, even out of simple curiosity, can become a meeting that changes everything.
- True repentance shows in actions: Zacchaeus restores and shares.
- Salvation is a gift from Jesus, who comes to seek and to save what is lost.
Key verses
“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Jesus takes the initiative and calls Zacchaeus by name, in the midst of the crowd.
Zacchaeus promises to give half of his goods to the poor and to restore four times as much. The change of heart immediately becomes a change of conduct and of his relationship to money.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” This verse sums up the mission of Jesus, who goes to those who are thought to be too far away.
Sermons about Zacchaeus
Frequently asked questions
Who was Zacchaeus in the Bible?
Zacchaeus was a rich man, a chief tax collector at Jericho. He climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who called him and invited himself to his house. Zacchaeus repented, and Jesus declared that salvation had come to his house (Luke 19:1-10).
Why did Zacchaeus climb a tree?
The text explains that he was trying to see who Jesus was, but the crowd prevented him, because he was short. He ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree, because Jesus was going to pass that way (Luke 19:3-4).
Where can I find the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible?
The story of Zacchaeus is found only in the Gospel of Luke, in chapter 19, verses 1 to 10. The account takes place in Jericho, just before Jesus enters Jerusalem.