Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus - pure, a superintendent of customs; a chief tax-gather
(publicanus) at
Jericho (Luke 19:1-10). "The collection of
customs at Jericho, which at this time produced and exported a
considerable quantity of balsam, was undoubtedly an important
post, and would account for Zacchaeus being a rich man." Being
a short man, arrived before the crowd who were later to
meet with
Jesus Christ as he passed through Jericho on his way
to Jerusalem. The tax collector climbed up a
sycamore tree so that he
might be able to see him. When Christ reached the spot he looked up into
the branches, addressed Zacchaeus by name,
and told him to come down. Jesus told the man, who was a hated tax collector, that he intended to
visit his house. The crowd was shocked that Christ would sully himself by being a guest of a tax collector.
This led to the remarkable interview
recorded by the evangelist, and to the striking parable of the
ten pounds (Luke 19:12-27). At Er-riha (Jericho) there is a
large, venerable looking square tower, which goes by the
traditional name of the House of Zacchaeus.
See also: Zacheus
Reference