Luke 19:3

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

And {G2532} he sought {G2212} to see {G1492} Jesus {G2424} who {G5101} he was {G2076}; and {G2532} could {G1410} not {G3756} for {G575} the press {G3793}, because {G3754} he was {G2258} little {G3398} of stature {G2244}.

He was trying to see who Yeshua was; but, being short, he couldn’t, because of the crowd.

He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature.

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature.

Luke 19:3 (KJV) introduces us to a crucial character in the narrative of Jesus's journey through Jericho: Zacchaeus. This verse succinctly describes his initial attempt to see Jesus and the physical impediments he faced.

Context

This verse sets the stage for the well-known encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus. As Jesus was passing through Jericho, a city significant for its wealth and its population of tax collectors, a man named Zacchaeus (identified in the subsequent verse as a chief publican and a rich man) desperately desired to catch a glimpse of the renowned teacher. The "press" refers to the large crowd or multitude of people following Jesus, making it difficult for anyone, especially someone of short stature, to see over them.

Key Themes

  • Curiosity and Desire: Zacchaeus's actions reveal a strong desire, more than mere casual interest, to "see Jesus who he was." This suggests a deep curiosity about Jesus's identity and perhaps a spiritual yearning, foreshadowing his later transformation.
  • Overcoming Obstacles: The verse highlights the immediate challenges Zacchaeus faced: the overwhelming crowd and his own physical limitation. These obstacles forced him to seek an alternative solution, which he finds in the next verse by climbing a sycomore tree. This illustrates a universal principle of persistence in seeking spiritual truth.
  • The "Press" of Life: The crowd can be seen as a metaphor for the distractions, demands, or even popular opinions that can hinder individuals from personally encountering Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The word "press" in the KJV comes from the Greek word ochlos (ὄχλος), which simply means a crowd, multitude, or throng. It emphasizes the sheer number of people creating a physical barrier. "Little of stature" is a straightforward translation of the Greek mikros tō hēlikia (μικρὸς τῇ ἡλικίᾳ), indicating his small physical height, making it impossible for him to see over the heads of the crowd.

Practical Application

Luke 19:3 resonates with anyone who has faced difficulties in pursuing what they believe is important. Spiritually, it asks: What are the "presses" or "crowds" in our lives that prevent us from clearly seeing or approaching Jesus? These could be busyness, societal pressures, self-doubt, or even our own perceived limitations. Like Zacchaeus, we are called to identify these obstacles and then, with determination and perhaps unconventional methods, find a way to overcome them to draw closer to Christ. This verse reminds us that genuine desire often leads to resourceful action, ultimately paving the way for a personal encounter with the One who came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 23:8

    And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long [season], because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

  • Luke 9:7

    Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

  • Luke 9:9

    And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

  • John 12:21

    The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

  • Luke 12:25

    And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

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