1And entering, he was passing through Jericho. [19:2] And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus — and he was a chief tax collector, a supervisor over other collectors, and he was wealthy — [19:3] was seeking to see who Jesus was, and he was not able because of the crowd, for he was short in physical stature. [19:4] And running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore-fig tree to see him, because he was about to pass through that way. [19:5] And as he came to the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." [19:6] And he hurried and came down and received him rejoicing. [19:7] And when they all saw it, they were grumbling with deep internal dissatisfaction, saying that "he has gone in to lodge with a sinful man." [19:8] And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I restore it fourfold." [19:9] And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. [19:10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
LUK 19:1-10
Jesus and Zacchaeus
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Judea, tax collectors like Zacchaeus were deeply despised, seen as collaborators with Roman occupation and exploiters of their own people. As a chief tax collector , Zacchaeus would have overseen a network of tax-farmers, amassing wealth through extortion and systemic corruption. His position placed him outside the bounds of Jewish communal honor, marked as a sinner by religious leaders. The sycamore-fig tree Zacchaeus climbed was a practical choice—its low branches made it accessible, and its height offered a clear view of Jesus amidst the crowd. Jesus’ decision to stay at Zacchaeus’ house was scandalous, violating purity norms and social boundaries. The crowd’s murmuring reflects their shock and disapproval, as Jesus’ actions challenged the honor-shame economy of the day. Zacchaeus’ pledge to repay those he defrauded fourfold aligns with Jewish restitution laws (Exodus 22:1), signaling his repentance and reintegration into the community.
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How other translations render this
LUK 19:1
- KJV
- And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
- BSB
- Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
- Koinōnos
- And entering, he was passing through Jericho.
LUK 19:2
- KJV
- And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
- BSB
- And there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who was very wealthy.
- Koinōnos
- And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus — and he was a chief tax collector, a supervisor over other collectors, and he was wealthy —
LUK 19:3
- KJV
- And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
- BSB
- He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature.
- Koinōnos
- was seeking to see who Jesus was, and he was not able because of the crowd, for he was short in physical stature.
LUK 19:4
- KJV
- And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
- BSB
- So he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way.
- Koinōnos
- And running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore-fig tree to see him, because he was about to pass through that way.
LUK 19:5
- KJV
- And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
- BSB
- When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.”
- Koinōnos
- And as he came to the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.
LUK 19:6
- KJV
- And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
- BSB
- So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully.
- Koinōnos
- And he hurried and came down and received him rejoicing.
LUK 19:7
- KJV
- And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
- BSB
- And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
- Koinōnos
- And when they all saw it, they were grumbling with deep internal dissatisfaction, saying that "he has gone in to lodge with a sinful man.
LUK 19:8
- KJV
- And Zacchaeus 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.
- BSB
- 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.”
- Koinōnos
- And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I restore it fourfold.
LUK 19:9
- KJV
- And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
- BSB
- Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham.
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.
LUK 19:10
- KJV
- For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
- BSB
- For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
- Koinōnos
- For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 19:2
- a chief tax collector:The term used here for 'chief tax collector' indicates someone who was not just a tax collector, but a supervisor of other tax collectors, likely making him quite wealthy and influential.
LUK 19:3
- in stature:The word translated 'in stature' could refer to either physical height or age. In this context, it clearly refers to Zacchaeus's physical height.
LUK 19:4
- a sycamore-fig tree:The word translated 'a sycamore-fig tree' refers to a specific type of fig tree common in the Middle East, known for its broad leaves and low branches, making it easy to climb.
LUK 19:7
- were grumbling:The word translated 'were grumbling' suggests a deep, internal dissatisfaction expressed in low, murmuring tones, often indicating disapproval or discontent among a group.