Luke 19

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

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

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

And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

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

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

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?

And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

What does Luke 19:3 mean?

Explanation

This verse from the Gospel of Luke describes an episode where a man named Zacchaeus is trying to see Jesus as he passes by.

Zacchaeus encounters a problem: he is short and cannot see over the crowd (the press).

In the narrative, his short stature is a literal obstacle that prevents him from seeing Jesus.

However, the deeper meaning often interpreted from this text is that of a social and spiritual obstacle.

Zacchaeus, a tax collector, is a marginalized figure due to his profession, which was often associated with greed and collaboration with the occupying Roman forces.

Despite his societal standing, Zacchaeus has a deep desire to see Jesus, indicating his yearning for spiritual growth and transformation.

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Historical Context

This event occurs within the context of Jesus' ministry in Judea.

The verse is set in Jericho, a city with a long history, even in the biblical narrative, as the first city conquered by the Israelites entering the Promised Land.

At the time of Jesus, Jericho was an important city near the Jordan River with trade routes and a balsam industry.

The presence of a chief tax collector like Zacchaeus indicates the economic significance of Jericho and the Roman presence there.

Tax collectors were Jewish individuals who worked for the Romans and were often despised by their fellow Jews for what was seen as a betrayal and exploitation.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse sets the stage for the grace that is about to be manifested in Zacchaeus' life through his encounter with Jesus.

Various denominations and theologians see this as an illustration of divine grace that reaches out to the marginalized and the sinners.

Zacchaeus' earnest effort to see Jesus is symbolic of seeking salvation or truth, and it is met by Jesus' compassionate response, which unfolds in the subsequent verses.

Some theological interpretations also see Zacchaeus' small stature as a metaphor for humility or the recognition of one's spiritual deficiency and the need for Jesus in one's life.

Practical Applications

In a modern context, the practical applications of this verse could be understood in terms of overcoming personal and societal barriers in the pursuit of spiritual growth or moral improvement.

Just as Zacchaeus climbed a tree to overcome his physical limitation, individuals are encouraged to take proactive steps to overcome their limitations or obstacles.

It also serves as a reminder that social status, wealth, or occupation does not prevent one from seeking and experiencing a transformative encounter with spirituality or with the teachings of Jesus.

Cross-References

Matthew 9:9-13: Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him and dines with sinners and tax collectors.
Luke 18:9-14: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, emphasizing the theme of humility and seeking God.
Luke 5:27-32: The calling of Levi, another tax collector, showing Jesus' outreach to those marginalized by society.

Language Study

In the original Greek, the key word in this verse is "ὄχλου" (ochlou), typically translated as "crowd" or "multitude".

The term often implies a large group of people and is used in the New Testament in the context of the many who followed or gathered around Jesus.

Another key term is "ἡλικίᾳ" (helikia), translated as "stature" but can also mean age or life.

This word suggests that Zacchaeus' shortness in stature may also metaphorically relate to his social standing or spiritual condition.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions and myths, individuals are often depicted as seeking deities or wisdom by overcoming obstacles.

For instance, in Greek mythology, characters like Odysseus and Hercules must go through trials to achieve their goals.

In the Hindu epic the Ramayana, the protagonist Rama faces numerous challenges in his quest.

Similarly, Zacchaeus must overcome an obstacle to seek Jesus, reflecting a universal theme in religious narratives of the pursuit of the divine or enlightenment.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, Zacchaeus' short stature may be analyzed through genetic factors determining height.

However, in applying this verse to the science of behavior and psychology, one may consider the impact of social barriers on an individual's actions and the steps one takes to overcome them.

Behaviors such as Zacchaeus' determination to see Jesus can be viewed through principles of motivation and the psychological theory of goal-setting.

commentaries

Different biblical commentaries offer various perspectives on this verse.

For example:

The Pulpit Commentary notes the eagerness and determination of Zacchaeus in overcoming his small stature to see Jesus, emphasizing the significance of his effort.
Matthew Henry's Commentary highlights the spiritual longing represented by Zacchaeus' desire to see Jesus, despite the physical and social obstacles he faced.
The MacArthur Study Bible discusses the societal reputation of tax collectors and how Zacchaeus' action could signify a turning point in his life, symbolizing a search for redemption.
Commentators like William Barclay provide cultural insights, discussing the general dislike and distrust of tax collectors in Jesus' time, which makes Zacchaeus' successful encounter with Jesus even more remarkable.

Luke 19

Luke 19

What does Luke 19:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 19:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?