Zacchaeus, Come Down, Immediately

Luke 19:1-10

Key Verse 19:5

1. What does the word “through” [in “passing through”] indicate about Jericho in Jesus’ travel plan?

2. Compare verse 2a and verse 2b. In Hebrew the name “Zacchaeus” means “clean and pure” (or simply “righteous”). Yet, what did many in Jesus’ day think of a [chief] tax collector? What does the word “and” [in “he was a chief tax collector and wealthy”] indicate about the way he became wealthy? 

3. In Luke 18:41b, we see a blind man saying to Jesus, “Lord I want to see.” But in Luke 19:3, Zacchaeus “wanted to see who Jesus was.” In what respect are the two men different in wanting to “see” Jesus? What is the significance of [every] man needing to know [or see] “who Jesus is”? What does this observation indicate about a sinner (19:7) like Zacchaeus? 

4. Verse 3b says that it was not just because of Zacchaeus being “short” but also “because of the crowd” that he was not able to see who Jesus was. Can you think of similar problems (or difficulties) in our day? 

5. Verse 4 describes the way Zacchaeus overcame the problem he had. What do the following actions teach us in securing a personal fellowship with Jesus Christ? 1) So he ran ‘ahead’; 2) climbed a …tree to see him; and 3) since Jesus was coming that way. 

6. Read verse 5. What does “the spot” refer to? What do the following actions tell us about Jesus as the good shepherd of Zacchaeus? 1) he looked up and said to him; 2) “Zacchaeus”; 3) “come down immediately”; 4) “I must stay at your house today.” 

7. Read verses 6-10. What did people think of Jesus [inviting himself to the house of Zacchaeus]? Yet, what does verse 8 tell us about the practical meaning of “repentance” unto the Lord? How did Jesus bless Zacchaeus? (9-10)