Luke 19:3

Luke 19:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
• New International Version (NIV)He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.

Context of Luke 19:3

1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2And there was a man called Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector [a superintendent to whom others reported], and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, but he could not see because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 4So he ran on ahead [of the crowd] and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. 5When Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

Luke 19:3 word by word

καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν Ἰησοῦν τίς ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• he soughtζητέωzēteō · to seekG2212
• to seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• Jesusὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• whoτίςtis · which?G5101
• he wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• couldδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
• notοὐou · noG3756
• forἀπόapo · away fromG575
• the pressὄχλοςochlos · crowdG3793
• becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• littleμικρόςmikros mikroteros · smallG3398
• of statureἡλικίαhēlikia · age/heightG2244

Cross-references for Luke 19:3

• Luke 9:7Now Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch [who governed a portion of Palestine including Galilee and Perea] heard about all that was being done [by Jesus], and he was thoroughly perplexed, because it was said by some that John [the Baptist whom he had ordered beheaded] had been raised from the dead,
• Luke 23:8When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard about Him, and was hoping to see some [miraculous] sign [even something spectacular] done by Him.
• John 12:21these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
• Luke 12:25And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span?

Commentaries on Luke 19:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3And he sought to see Jesus who he was - So the mere principle of curiosity in him led to his conversion and salvation, and to that of his whole family, Luke 19:9.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Who he was - Rather “what sort of person,” he was, or how he appeared. He had that curiosity which is natural to people to see one of whom they have heard much. It would seem, also, that in this case mere “curiosity” led to his conversion and that of his family. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:23-25. God makes use of every principle - of curiosity, or sympathy, or affection, or hope, or fear - to lead people in the way of salvation, and to impress truth on the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-10The story of Zacchaeus is a fitting high point to the ministry of Jesus among those treated badly in Israel while he traveled to Jerusalem (9:51–19:44). Many see the final verse of this episode as the main theme of Luke's Gospel (19:10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-10The name is Jewish. 2-4. chief among the publicans--farming a considerable district, with others under him. rich--Ill-gotten riches some of it certainly was. (See on Lu 19:8.)Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 19:3

• Hospitality
• Jericho
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Publicans
• Zacchaeus (Zaccheus)

In the dictionaries

• Jesus
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Cast
• Climb
• Compass
• Jericho
• Occupy
• Rebuke
• Round
• Salvation

Commentaries on Luke 19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings