Luke 19:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

By doing so, he symbolically addressed the failings of those before him, welcoming Jesus into the depths of his heart. The act of climbing the tree was not mere chance; a good tree is expected to bear good fruit, and Zacchaeus, detached from the wild olive tree of his heritage and, through divine grace, connected to the good olive tree, was meant to yield the fruit of the law. Though the roots are holy, the branches may lack worth, yet through faith in the resurrection, the Gentile peoples have surpassed them as if they were elevated in body.

And behold, a man named Zacchaeus (Luke 19:2). Zacchaeus finds himself amidst the multitude, much like the blind man by the roadside. The Lord awaits to extend mercy to one, while the other is honored by the glow of His presence. He inquires about one, aiming to heal him; yet, He is an uninvited guest to the other, aware that his host has a great reward for this encounter. However, although the Lord did not catch the voice of the one who summoned Him, He perceived the intent of his spirit.

It is significant that the narrative of the chief tax collector is recounted. Who would lose hope in themselves upon realizing that salvation was reached by one whose wealth was gained through deceit? He was rich (Lk. 19:2)—a reminder that not all wealthy individuals are avaricious.

Why does Scripture emphasize only the singular Zacchaeus, who was short in stature (Lk. 19:3)? Does this not indicate that he possessed minimal malice, or perhaps just a hint of faith? After all, when he scaled the tree, he had yet to make any promises, yet to encounter Christ, and in truth, was still insignificant. Conversely, John is considered great because he witnessed both Christ and the Spirit descending upon Him in the form of a dove, as he testified: I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and abiding on Him (John 1:32).

What is a crowd but a chaotic assembly of uninformed individuals, incapable of grasping the depths of Wisdom? While Zacchaeus remained within the throng, he was unable to see Christ; only when he elevated himself above the crowd did he catch a glimpse of the One he sought, transcending the ignorance surrounding him.

It is rightly noted, Because there the Lord was to pass through (Luke 19:4), indicating the location of the sycamore tree and where faith was to flourish. This illustrates how the Lord preserved divine mysteries and scattered grace, coming to reach the Gentiles after passing through the Jews.

He noticed Zacchaeus up high; he had already been lifted by faith, bearing the fruits of new deeds, as if atop a fruitful tree. We have transitioned from the original concept to moral interpretation; it is a delight for us to rejoice and celebrate among so many faithful on the Lord’s day. Zacchaeus, perched upon the sycamore, symbolizes the new fruit of a new season, fulfilling the saying, The fig-tree brought forth its early fruit (Song 2:13); for Christ arrived to ensure that trees would yield not just fruit, but people. In another passage, we learn: When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee (John 1:48). Nathanael was beneath the tree, over the root—the root being holy (Rom. 11:16); yet, Nathanael was under the law, while Zacchaeus stood above it. The former was the secret defender of the Lord, the latter an open proclaimer. The former awaited Christ through the law; the latter, being above the law, was ready to renounce his possessions and follow the Lord.

When someone has endured the perils of the sea—the struggles with torrents and the battle against the winds—Zacchaeus, in pursuit of profit, claims a portion of that toil. The shepherd, who toils under the scorching sun and through hardships of rain, snow, and frost, seeking refuge in high places, grazing on sparse provisions and dressed in rough sheepskin, faces Zacchaeus. Losing a tenth of his flock, this humble, impoverished man is robbed and oppressed without any armed conflict. Unlike one who suffers from a sword's blow and recoils, numb to agony, this man, afflicted by unwelcome poverty, undergoes a slow demise, laboring to the point of death, gradually worn down over time. Ultimately, just as warriors steer clear of well-fortified strongholds and sailors avoid towering cliffs, merchants, travelers, and shepherds were compelled to evade Zacchaeus. This reflects the essence of Zacchaeus.

The Evangelist succinctly portrays this, almost with a hint of amazement, saying, "Behold - a certain man named Zacchaeus.” This phrase seems to suggest that he was ensnared by vice: "And he was a chief tax collector and a rich man." The expression "Behold a man" suggests that he was someone of significant note and distinction. Furthermore, the very mention of his name supports this understanding, as he was not among those whom David wrote of, "I will not remember their names by my mouth" (Psalm 15:4). The fact that he is identified not only as a tax collector but as the chief among them illustrates the extent of his moral depravity. However, consider Zacchaeus: observe how earnestly he sought Christ and how he became dear to the Lord, ultimately being called and drawn near to Him. Thus, if anyone is a tax collector or the head of tax collectors who has amassed wealth through unjust means, let them follow the path to salvation exemplified by Zacchaeus, and nobly make amends for the wrongs committed with ill-gotten gains. Conversely, if a person has been deprived of their possessions or is in any manner destitute, they should give thanks and rejoice, for they are rich in their saving poverty. More aptly, they should choose to transform their experience into a blessing by expressing gratitude to God for their circumstances, which even the wealthy tax collector found advantageous for his salvation, as you have just heard. This concludes the Gospel narrative. As we translate its deeper implications, consider the following—since the name Zacchaeus means "justified," I am reminded of the Pharisees who believed themselves righteous yet acted like tax collectors, as the Lord remarked in the Gospels about them—"eating of widows’ houses, and praying hypocritically long" (Matthew 23:14). Therefore, when any among such individuals seeks to discover the truth, they should look to find and know it, just as Zacchaeus sought after Jesus, for He is the Truth.

This revelation deeply moved Zacchaeus, who was already a believer in Christ; he vowed to give half of his wealth to the needy and repay anyone he had wronged four times over, pleading for the Lord's forgiveness for his past sins. In response, the Lord declared to Zacchaeus and those present, who were scandalized by His association with a sinner: "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Additionally, he was "a rich man," a description that underscores the lucrative nature of his position, particularly for those with greater authority in tax collection. The evangelist may deliberately emphasize his wealth, as few affluent individuals followed the humble Teacher from Galilee. This suggests that despite his riches, he experienced a longing for something deeper and sought fulfillment beyond material wealth, ultimately discovering Christ, who offered a richer treasure for his soul.

Many in the crowd attempted to silence him, yet he persisted, shouting even louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me." With desperation, the blind man appealed to Jesus, fearing he might lose the chance to receive healing from the great physician. His pleas pierced through the noise, reaching the ears of the God-man. The Lord paused, commanded that he be brought to Him, and, preparing him to receive the grace he sought, asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" When the blind man replied, "Lord, let me see," Jesus said, "See, your faith has saved you." Instantly, he received his sight and began to follow Jesus, glorifying his healer. Those present who witnessed the miracle were filled with praise for God. The excitement surrounding Jesus’ arrival and the miracle spread throughout Jericho, prompting more individuals to join the Lord’s followers as they gathered to meet him. They surrounded the divine traveler, eager to draw nearer to see and hear him. Among the throng was Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector and a wealthy man. However, his interest in Jesus extended beyond mere curiosity. As a leader among the tax collectors, who were despised by the people for their greed and deceit, he felt a profound sense of guilt before both God and man. Being affluent at the expense of his fellow citizens weighed heavily on his conscience. The news of Jesus' approach resonated not only in Zacchaeus’ ears but also in his heart; he yearned to see this esteemed Friend of tax collectors and sinners, who himself bore scorn and humiliation. He hoped to find solace for his troubled spirit in the gentle and merciful countenance of the Lord. Unfortunately, his short stature made it difficult to see over the crowd. Without hesitating, he ran ahead along the road and climbed a sycamore tree. From this vantage point, he eagerly watched the approach of the one to whom he was prepared to reveal the scars of his heart.