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In this lesson:
Jesus passes through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem and the cross. "Come down," Zacchaeus (19:5). "Salvation (has) come to this house." (19:9) Study Tip: Repetition is a tool writers use to emphasize key points. Whenever you see themes repeated in the Bible, it is because God considers them important. Hover over these passages a little longer. |
Jesus calls Zacchaeus out of the tree.
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 18:35-19:10
The blind beggar 35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. Luke 19:1-10 Excitement 1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 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. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 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. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. |
Margin notes:
"As he was come nigh unto Jericho." (18:35) - Means, "As Jesus came near Jericho." Jericho was an Old Testament fortress-city in the southern part of the Jordan Valley, north of the Dead Sea, fifteen miles from Jerusalem, and five miles west of the Jordan River. Its ancient remains are dated back to 8,000 BC, making it one of the world's oldest cities. Jericho was destroyed by an Israelite army led by Joshua (Joshua 6:1-27), and became a Jewish city of the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:21). By Jesus' day, Jericho was a wealthy resort town expanded by Herod the Great south-east of its original location and surrounded by beautiful palms trees (which no longer exist). "A certain blind man." (18:35) - His name was Bartimeus (Mark 10:46), and he was one of the two blind beggars of Jericho (Matthew 20:30) healed by Jesus. Beggars were everywhere in Jesus' time. Since most jobs required physical labor, anyone unable to work because of age, illness, or handicap had little means of support other than begging. "He asked what it meant." (18:36) - "He asked what was happening." "Son of David." (18:38) - A Messianic title for Jesus, a descendant of King David (Isaiah 9:6-7). The blind beggar recognized Jesus as the Messiah, while others with perfect vision couldn't. "Rebuked him." (18:39) - "Scolded him." "And Jesus stood." (18:40) - "And Jesus stopped." "Immediately he received his sight." (18:43) - Just as Isaiah 35:5 predicted seven hundred years earlier. Zacchaeus - Born a Jew, Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector who lived in Jericho and worked for the Romans. As we will see in this passage, he met Jesus and invited Him to his home. "Could not for the press, because he was little of stature." (19:3) - "Couldn't because of the crowd, he was to short." "He ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him." (19:4) - "He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus." "I must abide at thy house." (19:5) - "I must stay at your house." "Sinner." (19:7) - Jews held tax collectors in low esteem because they worked for the Romans, and many overcharged taxpayers. "Half of my goods I give to the poor." (19:8) - "Half of my possessions I will give to the poor." "If I have taken any thing... by false accusation, I restore him." (19:8) - This is repentance in action. "Son of Abraham." (19:9) - Jews consider themselves children of Abraham (Romans 4:12). "To seek and to save that which was lost." (19:10) - Jesus came to save the lost. This is the primary message of Luke's entire Gospel (5:31-32), as prophesized in Ezekiel 34:16 six hundred years before the birth of Christ. |
You can read a second account of the blind Jericho beggar in Mark 10:46-52.
New Living Translation
Luke 18:35-19:10
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.
36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.
37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.
38 So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 "Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him,
41 "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord," he said, "I want to see!"
42 And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you."
43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus and Zacchaeus
1Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today."
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
7 But the people were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"
9 Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.
36 When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening.
37 They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.
38 So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39 "Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him,
41 "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord," he said, "I want to see!"
42 And Jesus said, "All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you."
43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
Luke 19:1-10
Jesus and Zacchaeus
1Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today."
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
7 But the people were displeased. "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner," they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"
9 Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God." (18:41-43)
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (19:10)
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (19:10)
Today's Question:
1. How did Zacchaeus gain his salvation? (19:1-10)
An essential step in Bible study is applying what you learn to your life.
1. How did Zacchaeus gain his salvation? (19:1-10)
An essential step in Bible study is applying what you learn to your life.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Tax collectors were notoriously dishonest. As the chief tax collector (19:2), Zacchaeus would have been one of the most hated men in town. But Zacchaeus gained his salvation by accepting God's gift of grace. After receiving God's forgiveness, Zacchaeus acted on his new faith and promised to repay "fourfold" anyone he had cheated (19:8). This noble gesture wasn't Zacchaeus's trying to buy his salvation, but the result of his salvation. It proved his repentance. Zacchaeus' story is proof that a wealthy man, with God's grace, can find salvation.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke