Luke 19:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.

NIV: He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.

NASB: Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature.

CSB: He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man.

NLT: He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.

KJV: And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

NKJV: And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.

"Jericho" refers to an area near to both ruins of a conquest (Joshua 6) and an existing city (1 Kings 16:34). Jesus is walking through this territory (Luke 19:1). He's surrounded by a crowd of His disciples, bystanders, and others traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover. A chief tax collector named Zacchaeus has heard that Jesus is nearby (Luke 19:2).

Luke's writing often hinges on contrasts and comparisons. Zacchaeus has a significant role in society: he is powerful and he is rich. He bids to collect revenue for the Roman government and adds a healthy fee on top for himself. But he is physically small, inverting his social stature. At the same time, Luke positions this story adjacent to the story of the blind beggar (Luke 18:35–43). In the same area, Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52) heard a crowd and asked what was happening. The crowd told him Jesus was coming through. Like Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus had heard of Jesus but presumably had never met Him.

The comparisons continue. The blind man cried out, yelling until Jesus heard and called him to approach. Zacchaeus climbs a tree so he can rather passively watch, but Jesus calls him down. The crowd attempted to silence the blind man so Jesus couldn't hear him. Some in this crowd—possibly Zacchaeus' victims—criticize Jesus for associating with a tax collector. Jesus restored physical sight to the blind man. Zacchaeus receives spiritual sight and repents. The blind man used his newfound sight to follow Jesus. Zacchaeus uses his to pay recompense to his victims (Luke 19:4–8).

Luke 19:1–10 continues a pattern of stories which begin with a miracle and record Jesus teaching about the kingdom of God. Jesus has already healed blind Bartimaeus in the twin cities of Jericho (Luke 18:35–43). Now, He calls down Zacchaeus from a tree. The diminutive tax collector proves hungry for a chance to repent and follow Christ. The next, final story of the "travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27) is the parable of the ten minas: an illustration of faithful living despite Jesus' imminent departure (Luke 19:11–27).

Jesus approaches Jerusalem by way of Jericho. Along the road, he encounters Zacchaeus: an unusually short man and infamous tax collector. Zacchaeus responds to Jesus' invitation and demonstrates humility and repentance. Jesus gives a parable explaining a believer's obligation to encourage the spread of the gospel. Jesus enters Jerusalem to great fanfare, upsetting local Pharisees. As He rides, Jesus weeps to think of the future destruction in store for the city. He once again drives corrupt businessmen from the temple grounds. His enemies are furious, but too afraid of the adoring crowds to take direct action.

Luke 19 finishes the "travelogue of Christ to Jerusalem" and introduces His first actions there (Luke 9:51—19:27). This long passage semi-chronologically records Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and the theological reasons why He must go to the cross. It finishes here, in this chapter, with Jesus meeting Zacchaeus and the parable of the ten minas. The chapter continues with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as its king—the triumphal entry. Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, its rejection of their Messiah, and its coming destruction in AD 70. He also cleanses the temple and teaches there. In the next segments, Luke covers the last hours of Jesus' earthly life (Luke 22—23) as well as Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.