Luke 19:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

NIV: So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

NASB: And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully.

CSB: So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully.

NLT: Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

KJV: And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

NKJV: So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.

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).

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.