What does Luke 19:6 mean?

Zacchaeus is a chief tax collector. He's a contractor for the Roman government. He hires others to collect the people's taxes, adding on a hefty fee for himself. He's an extraordinarily rich man, but his job has made him very unpopular to other Jews, partly because he steals from his own people and partly because of his proximity to the occupying force (Luke 19:1–2).

We don't know if he's from Jericho, if he's traveling through Jericho to go to Jerusalem for the Passover, or if he's just visiting, but he's in the Jericho area and learns that the teacher named Jesus is nearby. He's never met Jesus, but he's heard of Him. Unfortunately, he's so short he can't see over the crowd. So, he climbs a sycamore tree (Luke 19:3–4).

To his shock, Jesus sees him. Then Jesus demands that he come down at once and host Him (Luke 19:5). Zacchaeus can't get down the tree fast enough! He's absolutely overjoyed to be chosen to host this revered teacher.

In the Middle Eastern culture, it is a great honor to have guests in one's home. For Zacchaeus, there's probably something more. He may know that one of Jesus' disciples, Matthew, was once a tax collector. Or that Jesus frequently visits the homes of tax collectors and feasts with their less-than-respectable friends. Jesus' kindness and presence in his home compels him into joyful repentance (Romans 2:4). He repays what he has unlawfully taken, adding the maximum fine given by the Mosaic law. Jesus affirms that salvation has come to Zacchaeus and calls him a son of Abraham (Luke 19:8–10).