Zacchaeus, the tax collector, waited for Jesus up a tree, Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector, climbed a tree so that he could see Jesus because he was very short. The local people did not like him because he worked for the Romans.

Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately, I must stay at your house today.” Jesus stayed with Zacchaeus for a meal. We are not told whether it was the midday or evening meal.

After the meal, Jesus left Jericho. He walked towards Jerusalem and His death in 10 days time.

Zacchaeus in Hebrew means Pure One.

Background Reading:

Jesus and Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19:1 As Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through it, 2 a man named Zacchaeus appeared. He was a leading tax collector, and a rich one at that! 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he couldn’t do so due to the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way.

5 When Jesus came to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.” 6 Zacchaeus came down quickly and was glad to welcome him into his home.

7 But all the people who saw this began to complain: “Jesus is going to be the guest of a notorious sinner!”

8 Later, Zacchaeus stood up and announced to the Lord, “Look! I’m giving half of my possessions to the destitute, and if I have accused anyone falsely, I’m repaying four times as much as I owe.”

9 Then Jesus told him, “Today salvation has come to this home, because this man is also a descendant of Abraham, 10 and the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:1-10

Also read: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, John 12:13-1

More Information:

Jesus sets out from Jericho, meaning in Hebrew City of Palms, to Jerusalem about 24km (15miles), approximately 4-8 hours, all uphill. Jericho 251 meters or 825 feet below sea level and Jerusalem 796 meters or 2,610 feet above sea level. A total climb of 1,047 meters or 3,435 feet. The custom was that you started early morning with rest in the middle of the day.

The hill or tel of Jericho has been occupied since 800BC and is some 230 meters or 800 feet below sea level.

The Dead Sea or the Salt Sea is just over 400 meters (1,300 feet) and is the lowest area on earth below sea level.
On the other hand, the Sea of Galilee or the Lake of Tiberius is just over 200 meters (700 feet) below sea level.


Other modules in this unit: