Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus Welcomes Jesus
Read the passage
1Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
2And there was a man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who was very wealthy.
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.”
6So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully.
7And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
8But 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.”
9Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus enters Jericho and passes through. A man named Zacchaeus is there, a chief tax collector and rich. He wants to see who Jesus is, but he is small in stature and cannot see over the crowd.
Zacchaeus runs ahead and climbs a sycamore tree because Jesus is about to pass that way. When Jesus comes to the place, He looks up and tells Zacchaeus to hurry down because He must stay at his house that day.
Zacchaeus comes down quickly and receives Jesus joyfully. The crowd grumbles that Jesus has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.
Zacchaeus stands and says he will give half his goods to the poor, and if he has defrauded anyone, he will restore it fourfold. Jesus says salvation has come to the house because he too is a son of Abraham. The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.
Zacchaeus climbs the tree to see Jesus, but Jesus is the one who calls him down and comes to his home. The welcome reaches him before he announces his giving and repayment. His money now becomes part of his response: the poor will benefit, and anyone he has cheated will receive restitution. Salvation is making a difference in the very part of life where his need for change is most visible.
Questions
1 Who is Zacchaeus?
AnswerHe is a wealthy chief tax collector in Jericho who wants to see Jesus. The crowd later objects to Jesus visiting a man they call a sinner.
2 Why does Zacchaeus climb a tree?
AnswerHe wants to see Jesus but is too short to see over the crowd, so he climbs a sycamore tree along Jesus' route.
3 How does Zacchaeus respond to Jesus' visit?
AnswerHe receives Jesus joyfully and promises generous restitution for anyone he has defrauded. His welcome becomes a changed use of money and power.
4 What does Jesus say about His mission?
AnswerHe says the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Zacchaeus's changed response shows salvation reaching a compromised household.
What This Means for Us
Jesus does not merely notice Zacchaeus in public; He enters his home. The crowd objects to his reputation, but Jesus says he has come to seek and save the lost. His welcome gives Zacchaeus an opportunity to respond with joy and make things right.
Zacchaeus's restitution makes his repentance concrete. Families should not settle for emotional regret when money, trust, or dignity has been taken; where possible, make honest repair and accept accountability.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, seek us when our reputation hides our need. Give our household joy in Your welcome, courage to make restitution, and generosity that proves repentance is becoming real. Amen.