Zacchaeus the Tax Collector from Jericho
The Gospel of Luke tells us that a man named Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in the region of Jericho. Although he was a native Judean, Zacchaeus had “sold-out” and become part of the oppressive and despised Roman tax machine.
The Romans needed local tax collectors, and they found it advantageous to hire locals such as Zacchaeus to collect money from their kinfolk. In exchange, these local tax collectors pledged their allegiance to Rome and charged a nice commission. And, they were known for skimming a little extra off the top. As a result, they were despised. And that stigma was so well known that Jesus even used it as part of an earlier teaching on love during his Sermon on the Mount:
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”(Matthew 5:46)
So, Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector of a very lucrative trade hub at Jericho. As a result, he was rich and powerful at the expense of his own people. Zacchaeus the tax collector was viewed as a traitor.
Zacchaeus the Tax Collector and the Sycamore Tree
While Jesus was passing through Jericho on his final trip to Jerusalem, a large crowd gathered to see him. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Zacchaeus was a small man, so he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view of Jesus when he passed by.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5)
The disciples maybe cringed a bit. The crowd probably grumbled. This odd, tree climbing traitor was a tax collector after all. Of all the places Jesus could go for dinner, why the home of Zacchaeus?
But as we’ve learned throughout the Gospels, Jesus was always out to teach lessons to his followers. And in this Gospel account, Jesus wanted Zacchaeus and everyone witnessing this encounter to clearly understand that the forgiveness he spoke about was for everyone – even tax collectors, the so-called “worst of sinners.” In other words, through his power, the seemingly unthinkable was now possible.
And Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)
Randall acts as the lead writer for ColdWater’s Drive Thru History® TV series and Drive Thru History® “Adventures” curriculum.