Zacchaeus Ζακχαῖος
Tax collector who hosted Jesus in Jericho
Who is Zacchaeus in the Bible?
Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector in Jericho who encountered Jesus and experienced a dramatic spiritual transformation (Luke 19:2-8). When Jesus passed through the city, the short-statured Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see him, and Jesus called him down, announcing his intention to stay at his house. This encounter moved Zacchaeus to repent of his corrupt practices, pledging to give half his possessions to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he had cheated. Jesus responded by declaring that salvation had come to Zacchaeus's household, affirming that he came to seek and save the lost. Zacchaeus's story illustrates the transformative power of encountering Jesus and demonstrates that even those considered social outcasts and sinners could experience redemption and restoration.
Biography
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in the city of Jericho. He was a wealthy man, likely due to his profession, which was often associated with corruption and extortion in ancient Roman-occupied Israel. When Jesus passed through Jericho, Zacchaeus sought to see him but was hindered by his short stature and the crowd. He climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Noticing Zacchaeus, Jesus called him down and declared his intention to stay at his house. This encounter led to a profound change in Zacchaeus, who pledged to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay fourfold anyone he had cheated. Jesus affirmed Zacchaeus's transformation, declaring that salvation had come to his house and that the Son of Man had come to seek and save the lost.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentLuke 3 verses
- Luke 19:2
"And there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who was very wealthy."
Study Luke → - Luke 19:5
"When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.”"
Study Luke → - Luke 19:8
"But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ζακχαῖος |
Zacchaeus
ls. Being a chief publican, or overseer, among the tax-gatherers, Zaccheus had additional opportunity, by farming the taxes, of increasing that wealth for which his class was famous. Yet his mind was not entirely engrossed by material considerations, for he joined the throng which gathered to see Jesus on His entrance into the city. Of little stature, he was unable either to see over or to make his way through the press, and therefore scaled a sycomore tree. There he was singled out by Jesus, who said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house" (Lu 19:5). The offer thus frankly made by Jesus was accepted eagerly and gladly by Zaccheus; and the murmurings of the crowd marred the happiness of neither. How completely the new birth was accomplished in Zaccheus is testified by his vow to give half of his goods to the poor, and to make fourfold restitution where he had wrongfully exacted. The incident reveals the Christian truth that just as the publican Zaccheus was regarded by the rest of the Jews as a sinner and renegade who was unworthy to be numbered among the sons of Abraham, and was yet chosen by our Lord to be His host, so the social outcast of modern life is still a son of God, within whose heart the spirit of Christ is longing to make its abode. "For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost" (Lu 19:10).
(2) An officer of Judas Maccabeus (2 Macc 10:19). (3) A Zaccheus is mentioned in the Clementine Homilies (iii.63) as having been a companion of Peter and appointed bishop of Caesarea.
(4) According to the Gospel of the Childhood, by Thomas, Zaccheus was also the name of the teacher of the boy Jesus.
C. M. Kerr