Luke 19:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."

NIV: All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."

NASB: When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, 'He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!'

CSB: All who saw it began to complain, "He’s gone to stay with a sinful man."

NLT: But the people were displeased. 'He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,' they grumbled.

KJV: And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

NKJV: But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

Jesus is traveling through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem, to eventually face the cross. He notices a small man in a sycamore tree on the side of the road (Luke 19:1–5). Whether through divine inspiration or the man's own notoriety, Jesus knows this is Zacchaeus, a rich chief tax collector.

Jews in this time despised tax collectors, perhaps especially those who were also Jewish. It was bad enough when Jews collected money from their fellow Israelites—including a fee for themselves—on behalf of the hated Romans. Zacchaeus is worse. He's the man who contracts out those local tax collectors. He made a bid, promising to collect more revenue for the Roman government than the other bidders. And he adds his own commission onto what his contractors must collect. Not only does he use the authority of the Roman government to make himself rich at the expense of his countrymen, but that role means he interacts with Gentiles, making him ceremonially unclean.

When Jesus calls Zacchaeus out of the tree and demands to stay with him (Luke 19:5–6), the crowd is watching and they're horrified. Jesus claims to be a teacher of God. His miracles and His teaching have made the crowd think He's their champion against the hardships and injustices in their difficult lives. How could He betray them by dining with someone they believe is so clearly far from God and who makes their lives more difficult?

They should know Jesus has a soft spot for tax collectors. One of His first disciples, Levi (Matthew), used to be one. Jesus met many of Levi's friends, despite the Pharisees' warnings (Luke 5:27–30). Jesus clearly explained His goal, saying, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31).

Not long before, the crowd tried to keep a blind beggar from Jesus' attention. When Jesus called to him, anyway, and healed him, the crowd rejoiced, giving praise to God (Luke 18:35–43). It doesn't appear they have the same grace towards Zacchaeus when "salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19:9).

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.