Zacchaeus was a tax collector in Jericho known for his wealth and collaboration with the Romans. When Jesus passed through the town, Zacchaeus climbed up into a sycamore-fig tree to see him, and Jesus called him down and visited his home. The encounter with Jesus led to a radical conversion where Zacchaeus promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he had cheated.
Key events
Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree
Zacchaeus was short in stature and could not see Jesus through the crowd, so he climbed up into a sycamore-fig tree along the road where Jesus was to pass.
Jesus looked up into the tree, called Zacchaeus by name, and said that he must stay at his house that day. Zacchaeus came down quickly and welcomed Jesus joyfully.
When the people saw that Jesus was going to the home of a sinner and tax collector, they murmured and criticized Jesus for associating with such a man.
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I am giving half of what I own to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone of anything, I am paying it back four times over."
Jesus declared that salvation had come to this house, because Zacchaeus was also a son of Abraham. Jesus emphasized that the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.