The Life of Jesus in Harmony |
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Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus (Gk. for Heb. Zaccai).
A chief tax-gatherer (architelones), or publican, residing at
Jericho, who, being a short man, climbed into a sycamore tree in order that he might
see
Jesus as He passed through that town. When Jesus came to the tree, He paused,
looked up, and called Zaccheus by name. He told him to hasten and come down, because
He intended to be a guest at his house. With speakable joy Zaccheus hastened
down and welcomed the Master.
The people murmured, saying that He had "gone to be the guest of a man who is
a sinner." Zaccheus was especially despised as being a Jew and occupying an
official rank among the tax-gatherers, which would indicate unusual activity in
the service of the Roman oppressors.
Zaccheus seems to have been deeply moved by the consideration shown him by
Jesus and, before all the people, made the vow that attested his penitence:
"Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have
defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much," greater restitution
than the law required (Num 5:7). Jesus then said, "Today salvation has come to
this house, because he, too, is a son of
Abraham" (Lk 19:1-10).