Luke 19:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.

NIV: A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.

NASB: And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.

CSB: There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

NLT: There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.

KJV: And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

NKJV: Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

Jesus is walking through Jericho; the region consists of the ruins of the original site (Joshua 6) as well as the rebuilt city (1 Kings 16:34). He has just healed a beggar who, despite his blind eyes, recognized Jesus as the Son of David: the rightful king of the Jews (Luke 18:35–43).

Now, Jesus meets Zacchaeus. Jesus has met tax collectors before. In fact, He's infamous among His self-righteous critics for eating with them. His disciple Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector (Luke 5:27–31). When the Pharisees rebuke Jesus, He points out, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32).

Zacchaeus is a "chief" tax collector, or "publican" as translated in the KJV. He had made bids to collect revenue for the Romans, then hired other men (Luke 18:13) to go into the community and get the money. "Chief" may mean he held a high rank or the term may refer to his great wealth, which he accumulated by adding his commission onto what his contractors took from the people.

Zacchaeus doesn't seem to know Jesus, but he is very curious. He may have heard from other tax collectors about this teacher who associates with people on the margin, especially people like him: Jews who do not devoutly follow God. He works with pagan Romans, which means he was frequently ceremonially unclean. He takes money from Jews for their occupiers and extorts more for himself, making him a traitor to his people. Whatever he is hoping to find from Jesus, he receives much more.

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.