Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Zacchaeus
Subjects in this Topic:
ZACCHÆUS (= Zaccai, Ezr_2:9, Neh_7:14, lit. ‘pure’).—1. An officer put to death by Judas Maccabæus for treachery (2Ma_10:18-22). 2. A ‘chief publican’ of Jericho who entertained our Lord (Luk_19:1-10). He was a rich man, a Jew (Luk_19:8), of a higher grade than St. Matthew, but, like all his class, hated by his countrymen. Being short of stature, he had climbed up into a ‘fig-mulberry’ tree to see Jesus; our Lord called him down and invited Himself to his house. On hearing the murmuring of the people at the distinction conferred on a publican, Zacchæus justifies himself. Jesus passes this by, but in effect replies to the murmurers: ‘If he is a sinner, I have come to save him.’
A. J. Maclean.