Topical Bible: The Rich: Zacchaeus

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Introduction:
Zacchaeus is a prominent figure in the New Testament, known for his encounter with Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. His account is a powerful illustration of repentance, redemption, and the transformative power of Jesus' ministry. Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, yet his wealth was amassed through a profession that was often associated with corruption and exploitation.

Biblical Account:
The account of Zacchaeus is found in Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Jericho, a position that afforded him significant wealth but also made him despised by his fellow Jews. Tax collectors were often seen as traitors and sinners because they worked for the Roman authorities and were notorious for extorting money from the people.

Encounter with Jesus:
As Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zacchaeus sought to see Him. Due to his short stature and the large crowd, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view. Jesus, noticing Zacchaeus, called him down and announced His intention to stay at Zacchaeus' house. This encounter is recorded in Luke 19:5-6 : "When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, 'Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.' So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully."

Repentance and Transformation:
The presence of Jesus in Zacchaeus' home led to a profound change in his heart. Zacchaeus stood and declared his intention to make restitution for his past wrongs, as seen in Luke 19:8 : "But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.'" This declaration demonstrated genuine repentance and a commitment to justice and generosity.

Jesus' Response:
Jesus affirmed Zacchaeus' transformation and declared the salvation that had come to his house. In Luke 19:9-10 , Jesus said, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." This statement highlights the mission of Jesus to bring salvation to all, regardless of their past, and underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel.

Theological Significance:
Zacchaeus' account is a testament to the power of Jesus to transform lives. It illustrates the themes of repentance, restitution, and the joy of salvation. Zacchaeus' willingness to give away his wealth and make amends for his wrongs is a model of true repentance and reflects the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). His encounter with Jesus also emphasizes the importance of seeking Christ and being open to His transformative work.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the first-century Jewish context, tax collectors were often viewed as collaborators with the Roman occupiers and were generally despised by the Jewish populace. Zacchaeus' position as a chief tax collector would have made him particularly wealthy and influential, yet also isolated from his community. His willingness to climb a tree to see Jesus indicates both his desperation and his humility, as such an act would have been considered undignified for a man of his status.

Conclusion:
Zacchaeus' account is a powerful narrative of redemption and the transformative power of an encounter with Jesus. It serves as a reminder of the inclusivity of the Gospel and the call to repentance and restitution for those who seek to follow Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 19:2
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Zacchaeus
... to where a wide-branching fig tree hung over the way, the rich tax collector ... The
crowd comes near, it is going by, and Zacchaeus scans with eager eyes to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 61 zacchaeus.htm

The visit to Zacchaeus.
... And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, a man called by
name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the visit to zacchaeus.htm

Conversion of Zacchaeus, a Publican
... 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. ...
/.../the life of jesus christ for the young/conversion of zacchaeus a publican.htm

The Rich Inquirer
... which seizes all is widely different from that which gives all freely: that Zacchaeus
retained half his goods; that Joseph of Arimathea was rich; that the ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 17-22 the rich inquirer.htm

Ciii. Zacch??us. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
... from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a
man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ciii zacchaeus parable of the.htm

Melted by Kindness
... So we may take it for granted that Zacchaeus, the head of the Jericho
custom-house, and rich to boot, was by no means a desirable character. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/melted by kindness.htm

C. The Last Stages. Chs. 17:11 to 19:28
... 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho.2 And behold, a man called by name
Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich.3 And he sought to ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the last stages chs.htm

The Kingdom of God: Its Tasks
... And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, a man called by
name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter v the kingdom of.htm

Laodicea
... this prophecy will be amply evidenced - "Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased ... Matthew
was called, Zacchaeus was called, and many others; and those who heard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/laodicea.htm

The Eighth Commandment
... I will leave off spending what is my own, when thou leanest off stealing from others.'
Zacchaeus was an ... (1) To steal when there is no need; to be a rich thief. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 8 the eighth commandment.htm