Tyndale Open Study NotesLuke 19

The 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).

A chief tax collector paid the Roman government for the right to collect taxes in a certain region. He then supervised other tax collectors and received money from the taxes they collected. This system allowed Zacchaeus to become very rich. As a result, chief tax collectors were hated even more than the tax collectors under them (see study note on 3:12).

climbed a sycamore-fig tree: This action was very undignified for a man with the power and wealth of Zacchaeus. It shows that he truly wanted to see and know Jesus.

Zacchaeus … I must stay at your house today: Jesus knew Zacchaeus's name and invited himself to his home. This showed that the authority of Jesus is from God and that this meeting was part of God’s plan.

The guest of a sinful man: People also criticized Jesus for spending time with sinners, as they did when he was with Levi (5:27–32; see study note on 5:30).

I will repay it fourfold: The usual payment for causing financial loss was to repay the amount taken plus twenty percent (Leviticus 5:16; Numbers 5:7). However, the penalty for stealing an animal was four or five times its value (Exodus 22:1). Zacchaeus apparently viewed the money he had gained through dishonesty as theft and promised to repay it fully.

this man too is a son of Abraham: Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham by birth because he was a Jew. Now he also showed the same kind of faith that Abraham had (see Romans 4:11–12).

to seek and to save the lost: The Lord Jesus is like a shepherd who looks for lost sheep (see Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 13:17; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 10:3; 13:7).

This parable has two main purposes:

1. To teach stewardship. This means managing gifts and resources well while the man of noble birth (Jesus) is away (compare Matthew 25:14–30).

2. To correct the belief that the kingdom of God would start immediately when Jesus entered Jerusalem. Most Jews in the time of Jesus expected that when the Messiah (the Christ) came, God’s kingdom would be established physically on earth, with Jerusalem at its center (see Isaiah 2:2–4; 35:1–10; 65:17–25; Jeremiah 30–31; Ezekiel 37, 40–48; Micah 4:1–5).

A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship: This account shows Judea's status as a client kingdom of the Roman Empire. After a king's death, those claiming the right to be king would travel to Rome to seek support. Similarly, Jesus would first leave for heaven to receive his royal authority and later return to rule God's people and judge those who oppose him (see 19:14, 27).

his subjects hated him and sent a delegation: This happened to Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great, who violently put down protests after the death of his father. In response, the Jews sent representatives to plead against his kingship before the Roman emperor.

you shall have authority over ten cities: Because of the servant’s faithfulness, the king gave him a major position in his kingdom. Similarly, those who are faithful to Jesus in this life will receive greater responsibility here and great rewards in heaven.

deposit my money in the bank (Literally put the money on the table): This means to give it to those lending money who will loan it out for interest.

will be given more: Those who are trustworthy with a small amount will receive more (compare 8:18).

• And these enemies of mine: Those who do not accept Jesus as king will encounter his judgment. This part of the parable was directed against the religious leaders.

• bring them here and slay them: A new king would often kill his opponents (see 1 Kings 2:13–46; compare Psalm 2).

Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph. This fulfilled Zechariah 9:9–10 and symbolically announced that he was the Messiah, the King of Israel.

• Bethany was on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, over three kilometers (two miles) east of Jerusalem. It was the home of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha (John 11:1, 18; 12:1; see Luke 10:38).

  The exact location of Bethphage is unknown, but it was likely near Bethany on the road from Jericho.

• the Mount of Olives: The Mount of Olives overlooks Jerusalem from the east and has significance at the return of Christ (see Acts 1:11; Zechariah 14:4).

You will see a young donkey: It is unclear whether Jesus had arranged for the donkey ahead of time or whether he used divine knowledge. Either way, his entry into Jerusalem was a symbolic act. Jesus rode on a humble donkey instead of a warhorse to show that he was the Christ who came to bring peace and reconciliation (Zechariah 9:9–10).

The Lord needs it: Subjects of a king were expected to make resources available for his use (see 1 Samuel 8:16). The donkey's colt was pure and suitable for a king because no one had ever ridden it.

The crowds spread their cloaks to show respect and honor to this royal figure (see 2 Kings 9:13).

• Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! See Psalms 118:26; 148:1. Psalm 118 was one of the songs sung by travelers going to Jerusalem for the festivals (Psalms 113–118).

• Jesus brought peace in heaven and glory in the highest. He makes peace with God and humans, but peace on earth is still to come (compare Luke 2:14; see 12:51–53; 19:41–44).

Compare Isaiah 55:12, in which nature is said to rejoice at the coming of God’s salvation, and Habakkuk 2:11, in which the stones of the walls cry out against Babylon.

now it is hidden from your eyes: Israel’s rejection of Jesus had serious consequences. In this context, the decision was final and could not be reversed.

• Jesus foretold that the Romans would surround and destroy Jerusalem in AD 70. The Jewish historian Josephus describes the terrible suffering of the people in Jerusalem during the Roman siege (War 5.1.1–7.1.1).

• will not leave one stone on another: This expression describes complete destruction.

After entering Jerusalem as the Christ, Jesus performed an action that showed he was the Christ (see Malachi 3:1). He began to drive out from the temple those who exchanged money and merchants selling animals for offerings. This action was meant to restore true worship in the temple. It also symbolized the judgment that Jesus had just announced against Israel (19:41–44).

People who came to worship at the temple bought animals there for sacrifices. Jesus also drove out the money changers who exchanged ordinary money for the special coins used to pay the temple tax (Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; see Exodus 30:13–16; Nehemiah 10:32–33).

These services were necessary, but Jesus opposed the dishonest business practices that turned the temple into a place for personal profit instead of worship. The temple was meant to display God’s glory to all nations, but it had become corrupt.

• The clearing of the temple increased opposition to Jesus and helped lead to his death on the cross (see study note on Mark 11:12–25).

• In Galilee, the main opponents of Jesus were the Pharisees and teachers of religious law. In Jerusalem, the leading priests also opposed him because they controlled the temple. The actions of Jesus against the buying and selling in the temple threatened their authority.