Luke 19:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

May we all attain this truth through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belongs glory and authority forever. Amen.

A remarkable event occurred as Zacchaeus stood at the entrance of his home, exclaiming, "I will give half of my possessions to the needy!" Though he had yet to receive formal teaching, he still complied. The Savior spoke no words about almsgiving or charity at that moment but remained silent, radiating a quiet brilliance. His presence illuminated the house of a sinner, overpowering unrighteousness with the majesty of His righteousness. As the Gospel proclaims, "The light shines in the darkness" (John 1:5). “I will give half of my possessions to the poor.” This demonstrates his willingness to forsake self-interest and rectify injustice. Splitting his wealth, he recognized that true strength lies not in the whole, but in the humble offering. His words challenge the clutches of greed, acknowledging a deeper truth: “If I have wronged anyone, I will repay them fourfold.” Notably, Zacchaeus’ wealth did not originate solely from deceit; part was inherited, allowing him to repay beyond mere restitution. He cites the law with regard to restitution: "If a man shall steal a sheep and be found guilty, he shall repay fourfold" (Exodus 22:1). Divine justice demands accountability; even when one might disregard the law, the fear of retribution may serve as a deterrent. Zacchaeus held himself accountable, becoming his own judge, affirming that “the law is not made for the righteous” (1 Timothy 1:9). Upon hearing the tax collector’s pledge, Christ proclaimed, "Today salvation has come to this house." Zacchaeus justified himselfnot by simply encountering Christ but by fulfilling Christ's law.

It was recently emphasized that charitable giving ought to be prioritized above all else, where the soul’s well-being surpasses all worldly claims. I find another form of ingratitude perplexing: those without children who adopt; one becomes a parent, another a sibling. Yet how do you adopt a stranger while neglecting the Lord? Embrace Him who rewards you; let Christ be your kin. Is this notion too daunting? Consider what you assert: do you not, by casting aside this idea, fall into folly? You refer to Christ as the Son of Man, but I see Him not only as a Son but also as a Brother, based on His own declarations. When they pointed out His earthly family, Jesus responded, "Who is My mother? Who are My brothers? ... Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother, and sister, and mother" (Mark 3:32-35). If this is indeed His mother, He cannot be separated from her as her son. Every soul has the potential to be a mother of Christ by embodying moral virtue. What does it mean to bear Christ within? Each soul brings Christ to life within itself, and it cannot truly be called His mother until it undergoes inner transformation through godliness. When the word of Christ resonates within you, shaping your thoughts as if in the womb, you become His true mother. To reinforce this idea, consider Paul’s words: "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). If you have upheld justice, then you have reflected Christ in your spirit. If you have practiced charity, then you have embodied truth. The apostle emphasizes that Christ is realized in us collectively through the noble word imprinted on our hearts. Have you therefore offered charity? You have internalized Christ. Have you acted justly? Truth has been etched within you. In this way, we can embrace Christ as our Brother, inviting Him into our actions. Are you unwilling to share your all with Him? At the very least, offer Him half, as Zacchaeus did. You may argue that Zacchaeus was generous not only to the poor but also to Christ. However, remember: "He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord" (Proverbs 19:17). In aiding the poor, you bestow upon Christ. Haven’t you realized that what He gives to the needy He claims as His own? Reflect on His vivid portrayal of judgment: "When the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne" (Matthew 19:28), "He will separate the sheep from the goats, saying to those on His right, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave Me food" (Matthew 25:33-35).

Upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that he has ultimately retained nothing from his possessions. He donates half to the poor, leaving him with the other half, which he then repays fourfold to those he harmed. Consequently, if the life of this chief tax collector was characterized by injustice, returning fourfold for all he acquired through wrongdoing shows he has lost it all. In this manner, he is seen to be wiser than the Law, a follower of the Gospel, for he places his neighbor’s needs above his own, not merely in words, but in actions. He does not merely say, ‘I will give half and return fourfold,’ but proclaims, ‘Behold, I give; I return.’ He understands the wisdom of Solomon's words, ‘Do not say, “Go and come again, and tomorrow I will give”’ (Proverbs 3:28)."

Do they commend them for successfully freeing individuals from terrible afflictions, or do they criticize them and glorify those lacking in skill? Surely, they would favor those who are adept at alleviating suffering. So, why do they cast judgment on Christ, if He, upon witnessing Zacchaeus trapped in spiritual weakness, brought him back from the brink of destruction?

However, since the abundance of these worldly goods cannot adequately express the depth of Zacchaeus’ spirit, let us direct our thoughts to the Father, who is rich in virtues, as hospitality is intertwined with it: the virtues of hospitality embody its commendation, affirm our faith, and represent the crown of the Church, and the honor of Christ, to whom belongs glory and sovereignty forevermore. Amen.

By compensating the wronged fourfold as mandated by the Law (Exodus 22:1), he departed from wrongdoing and, by donating half of his goods to the needy, he engaged in good deeds (Ps. 33:15), thereby presenting himself as cleansed. This is why the Lord addressed the Pharisees, saying, ‘Give alms of such things as you have, and indeed all things are clean to you’ (Luke 11:41).

Based on the Law’s declarations, it is affirmed and substantiated that Jesus is the Messiah, the only-begotten Son of God. Should he have wronged any believer by calling him an infidel or having transgressed without fear, the wrongdoings would be rectified many times over, thereby serving the faithful and leading many unbelievers to faith in Christ. This encapsulates an allegory.

However, since Zacchaeus was previously, according to the Gospel account, a man enamored with silver—having amassed wealth through his role as a tax collector—and subsequently transformed into a man in need; more accurately, he willingly chose to become a beggar and impoverished; by parting with one portion and recompensing the other, can we applaud his virtue or scorn his vice? Given the nature of this discourse, we cannot address both. Yet, since these words are directed at us present, and knowing that none willingly embrace poverty, while most of us are susceptible to greed, let us straightforwardly unveil the harm that derives from it, which pertains to us as well. Greed is the source of all evils, including avarice, stinginess, betrayal, hatred of mankind, robbery, injustice, usury, deceit, falsehood, swearing, and all comparable vices. Greed leads to temple thefts, highway robberies, and essentially every variety of theft: it not only fosters marauders and bandits but also breeds dishonesty through deceptive weights, unjust measures, and counterfeit coinage, as well as trespassing, enmity among neighbors. It divides communities, alienates friends, and shatters familial ties; it has caused individuals to betray their homeland and abandon their armies, while unjust judges have forsaken the law, witnesses have betrayed the truth, and above all, everyone has betrayed their very soul. As the divine Apostle stated, ‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows’ (1 Tim. 6:10).

Pay close attention to the Apostle’s words: he does not claim ‘the rich’ have deviated from faith but rather that they have ‘given themselves over to greed.’ As he states elsewhere, ‘Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare’ (1 Tim. 6:9). Therefore, do not assert, ‘We are mostly poor; why should you admonish us about greed when most of us possess little to no wealth?’ I assert this because our hearts harbor a yearning for material gain, afflicting our souls with a need for healing. If you profess that you are unaffected by this malady, demonstrate your claim through your actions—not by seeking to escape poverty, but rather by valuing it over riches, finding joy in it, and offering thanks for it. God is granting you an easier path to salvation. Yet, let those who are wealthy acknowledge the challenge in entering the kingdom of heaven (Mark 10:23). But remember, Abraham was wealthy, yet he was saved due to his hospitality and lack of greed; Job, tested by wealth and poverty, was initially affluent and remarked, ‘If I have made gold my hope, or said to fine gold, You are my confidence’ (Job 31:24-25). Thus, the desire for wealth is a folly which, if neglected, afflicts both the poor and the rich alike.

This misfortune of riches often accompanies an even worse companion: pride and dependence on wealth. Therefore, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul cautions, ‘Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God’ (1 Tim. 6:17); for the humility of individuals is evidence of knowing the truth, while those who become arrogant due to their riches are truly earthly and foolish, resembling the affluent examples presented by the Lord: one who, seeing Lazarus at his gate, could not even acknowledge him due to pride, and another who contemplated his accumulating wealth, entrusting all hope to it. Consequently, the former faced eternal torment, while the latter’s soul was demanded of him without mercy. Do you see the end of those attached to wealth? Thus David advises, ‘Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them’ (Psalms 61:11); and Solomon warns, ‘He who trusts in his riches will fall’ (Proverbs 11:28); again, he equates the lust for gain with death, saying, ‘Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied’ (Proverbs 27:20).

Yet the Lord proclaims, ‘Woe to you who are rich, woe to those who are full’ (Luke 6:24). Brethren, let us, instead, be rich in good deeds; from what we possess, let us fill the hungry, so that we may also be honored with the promised reward and blessing, inheriting the kingdom of heaven, which we may receive by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, dominion, majesty, and splendor, with His eternal Father and life-giving Spirit, now and forever, and unto endless ages. Amen.

The law stipulates that if someone stole an ox or a sheep and consumed or sold it, they were required to make restitution: "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for the ox, and four sheep for the sheep" (Ex. 22:1). Furthermore, if the stolen item was found alive in the thief's possession, he was obligated to return it: "If a thief is caught, and the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, he shall restore it" (Ex. 22:4). This restitution occurred if the thief was identified by the owner, as it is stated, "If he is identified, he must return it." In cases where the sinner confessed, belonging restitution involved returning the item along with an additional fifth: "He shall confess his sin that he has committed, and he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding one-fifth to it" (Num. 5:7). Zacchaeus recognized his lowly state, humiliated as he was by his actions, yet he took on the role of a just judge, deciding not only to repay with the required fifth but also to compensate with a substantial fourfold. How remarkable is the integrity and righteousness of the human conscience when one is humbled and turns to God! Let us also consider the outcome of this virtuous act and sincere repentance.

This revelation struck Zacchaeus deeply, and as a believer in Christ, he vowed to give half of his wealth to the needy and to repay anyone he had wronged four times the amount, pleading for forgiveness for the sins of his past life. The Lord then declared to Zacchaeus, and to those who were troubled by His association with a sinner, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”