Zacchaeus
Israelite / Jew Jewish, of Jericho · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Zacchæus
- Name means
- 'pure'
- Role
- Chief tax collector of Jericho who repented
- When
- c. AD 30
What they did
A rich chief among the publicans, little of stature, he climbed a sycomore tree to see Jesus; Jesus called him by name and stayed at his house, and he gave half his goods to the poor and restored fourfold to any he had wronged.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Jesus declared that salvation had come to his house, for 'the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.'
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10 (KJV)
Bible references
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, 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. Luke 19:1-4 (KJV)
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, 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. Luke 19:5-6 (KJV)
And Zacchæus 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. Luke 19:8-10 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.