Luke 19:4
New International Version
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

New Living Translation
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

English Standard Version
So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

Berean Standard Bible
So he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way.

Berean Literal Bible
And having run to the front, he went up into a sycamore-fig tree, so that he might see Him; for He was about to pass that way.

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

New King James Version
So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.

New American Standard Bible
So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see Him, because He was about to pass through that way.

NASB 1995
So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

NASB 1977
And he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he ran on before and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

Amplified Bible
So he ran on ahead [of the crowd] and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

Christian Standard Bible
So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way.

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

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Zacchaeus ran ahead and climbed a fig tree to see Jesus, who was coming that way.

Good News Translation
So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way.

International Standard Version
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way.

Majority Standard Bible
So he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way.

NET Bible
So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was going to pass that way.

New Heart English Bible
He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he ran before, and climbed up upon a sycamore-tree to see him; for he was to pass that way.

Weymouth New Testament
So he ran on in front and climbed up a mulberry tree to see Him; for He was about to pass that way.

World English Bible
He ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having run forward before, he went up on a sycamore, that he may see Him, because through that [way] He was about to pass by.

Berean Literal Bible
And having run to the front, he went up into a sycamore-fig tree, so that he might see Him; for He was about to pass that way.

Young's Literal Translation
and having run forward before, he went up on a sycamore, that he may see him, because through that way he was about to pass by.

Smith's Literal Translation
And having run before, he went up upon an Egyptian fig tree, that he might see him: for he was about to pass through that.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see him; for he was to pass that way.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree, so that he might see him. For he was to pass near there.

New American Bible
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

New Revised Standard Version
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So he ran ahead of Jesus, and climbed up into a fig tree without leaves, that he might see him, because he was to pass that way.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he ran before it to Yeshua and he climbed up a bare fig tree to see him because he was going to pass by there.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he ran before, and climbed up a sycamore-tree, that he might see him, for he was about to pass that way.

Godbey New Testament
And having run forward in advance, he went up in a sycamore-tree in order that he might see Him: because He was about to pass that way.

Haweis New Testament
So running before, he climbed up a sycamore-tree, in order to get a sight of him: for he was about to pass that way.

Mace New Testament
so he ran before, and climb'd up a mulberry-tree to view him; for he was to pass that way.

Weymouth New Testament
So he ran on in front and climbed up a mulberry tree to see Him; for He was about to pass that way.

Worrell New Testament
And, running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see Him; because He was about to pass along that way.

Worsley New Testament
And he ran before and got up into a sycamore-tree that he might see Him; for He was to pass by that way.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus and Zacchaeus
3He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature. 4So he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.”…

Cross References
John 12:13
They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

Matthew 21:8-9
A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. / The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Mark 11:8-10
Many in the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut from the fields. / The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

John 1:48
“How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”

Matthew 18:3
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:15
Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

John 3:3
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Mark 2:4
Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.

John 12:12-15
The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. / They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” / Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: ...

2 Kings 9:13
Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Psalm 118:26
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

Genesis 49:10-11
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. / He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.

Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

climbed.

Luke 5:19
And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

a sycamore.

1 Kings 10:27
And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.

1 Chronicles 27:28
And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:

Isaiah 9:10
The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

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Luke 19
1. Of Zacchaeus a tax collector.
11. The ten minas.
28. Jesus rides into Jerusalem with triumph;
41. weeps over it;
45. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
47. Teaching daily in it. The rulers seek to destroy him, but fear the people.














So he ran on ahead
Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was eager to see Jesus. His running indicates urgency and determination, which was unusual for a man of his status in Jewish society. Running was considered undignified for a grown man, especially one of wealth and authority. This action reflects his deep desire to encounter Jesus, paralleling the urgency seen in other biblical figures seeking divine intervention or revelation.

and climbed a sycamore tree
The sycamore tree, a type of fig tree, was common in the region and known for its low branches, making it easier to climb. This act of climbing a tree was also undignified for a man of Zacchaeus's position, highlighting his humility and desperation to see Jesus. The sycamore tree is symbolic of accessibility and humility, as it provided a vantage point for Zacchaeus to overcome the physical and social barriers that separated him from Jesus.

to see Him
Zacchaeus's desire to see Jesus goes beyond mere curiosity; it signifies a deeper spiritual longing. In the Gospels, seeing Jesus often represents understanding and faith. Zacchaeus's actions demonstrate a willingness to overcome obstacles to gain a clearer vision of Christ, reminiscent of the blind men who sought Jesus for healing and sight.

since Jesus was about to pass that way
This phrase indicates divine timing and providence. Jesus's path was not coincidental; it was part of a divine plan to encounter Zacchaeus. The narrative underscores the theme of Jesus seeking and saving the lost, as He intentionally passes through Jericho, a city with a rich biblical history, including the story of its walls falling in the Old Testament. This encounter fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah coming to seek and save the lost, as seen in Ezekiel 34:11-16, where God promises to search for His sheep and rescue them.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Zacchaeus
A chief tax collector in Jericho, known for his wealth and short stature. His desire to see Jesus led him to climb a sycamore tree.

2. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, whose presence in Jericho drew crowds and inspired Zacchaeus to seek Him out.

3. Sycamore Tree
A type of fig tree common in the region, symbolizing Zacchaeus's determination and humility in seeking Jesus.

4. Jericho
An ancient city with historical and spiritual significance, serving as the backdrop for this encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus.

5. The Crowd
Represents the societal barriers and challenges Zacchaeus faced in his pursuit of Jesus.
Teaching Points
Seek Jesus with Determination
Zacchaeus's actions show that seeking Jesus may require effort and overcoming obstacles. We should be willing to go out of our way to encounter Christ in our lives.

Humility in Seeking God
Climbing a tree was an act of humility for a man of Zacchaeus's status. We must be willing to humble ourselves to truly see and experience Jesus.

Overcoming Societal Barriers
Zacchaeus did not let the crowd or his reputation stop him. We should not let societal pressures or our past hinder our pursuit of a relationship with Jesus.

God Honors the Seeking Heart
Zacchaeus's account reminds us that God sees and honors those who earnestly seek Him, regardless of their past or societal standing.

Transformation through Encounter
Zacchaeus's encounter with Jesus led to a transformation in his life. Meeting Jesus should lead to a change in our actions and attitudes.(4) And climbed up into a sycomore tree.--The name of "sycomore" has been variously applied--(1) to a species of maple (Acer pseudo-platanus); (2) to the mulberry (Morus nigra), more properly, "sycamine," as in Luke 17:6; and (3) to the fig mulberry (Ficus sycomorus). The last is the tree here meant. It grew to a considerable height in the Jordan valley, and was much used by builders and carpenters (1Kings 10:27). The care taken by St. Luke to distinguish between the "sycamine" of Luke 17:6 (where see Note), and the "sycomore" here, may fairly be noted as an instance of botanical accuracy, such as was likely to be found in a physician. We can picture the scene to our mind's eye--the eager, wistful, supplicating face looking down from the fresh green foliage (it was early spring), and meeting the gaze of Jesus as He passed,

Verse 4. - Into a sycomore tree. Floss sycomorus, the fig-mulberry, is here meant. It grew in the Jordan valley to a considerable height; the low, spreading branches were easy to climb. "We can picture the scene to our mind's eye. The eager, wistful, supplicating face looking down from the fresh green foliage - it was early spring - and meeting the gaze of Jesus as he passed" (Dean Plumptre).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he ran
προδραμὼν (prodramōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4390: To run before, outrun, run in advance. From pro and trecho; to run forward, i.e. Outstrip, precede.

on
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

ahead
ἔμπροσθεν (emprosthen)
Adverb
Strong's 1715: From en and pros; in front of (literally or figuratively) or time).

[and] climbed
ἀνέβη (anebē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

a sycamore tree
συκομορέαν (sykomorean)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4809: A sycamore tree. From sukon and moron; the 'sycamore'-fig tree.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

see
ἴδῃ (idē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

Him,
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

since
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

[Jesus] was about
ἤμελλεν (ēmellen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.

to pass
διέρχεσθαι (dierchesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 1330: To pass through, spread (as a report). From dia and erchomai; to traverse.

that [way].
ἐκείνης (ekeinēs)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.


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NT Gospels: Luke 19:4 He ran on ahead and climbed up (Luke Lu Lk)
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