Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector living in Jericho. He was short, so he climbed a sycamore tree to see who Jesus was and looked at Him. Jesus noticed him and went to his house to fellowship with him. Moved by this fellowship, Zacchaeus repented regarding his wealth.
Luke 19:1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.Luke 19:2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.Luke 19:3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short and there was a crowd, he could not.Luke 19:4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.Luke 19:5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”Luke 19:6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.Luke 19:7All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”Luke 19:8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”Luke 19:9Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.