Luke 19:5

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

And {G2532} when {G5613} Jesus {G2424} came {G2064} to {G1909} the place {G5117}, he looked up {G308}, and saw {G1492} him {G846}, and {G2532} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Zacchaeus {G2195}, make haste {G4692}, and come down {G2597}; for {G1063} to day {G4594} I {G3165} must {G1163} abide {G3306} at {G1722} thy {G4675} house {G3624}.

When he came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zakkai! Hurry! Come down, because I have to stay at your house today!”

When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today.”

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house.

Luke 19:5 captures a profound moment in the ministry of Jesus, revealing His divine awareness and proactive grace towards an unlikely individual. This verse marks the beginning of a significant encounter that leads to Zacchaeus's transformation.

Context

This scene unfolds in Jericho, a city Jesus was passing through on His final journey to Jerusalem. The preceding verses (Luke 19:1-4) introduce Zacchaeus as a chief publican, or tax collector, and a wealthy man. In Jewish society, tax collectors were generally despised for their collaboration with the Roman occupiers and often for their corrupt practices. Despite his wealth, Zacchaeus was short in stature and climbed a sycomore tree to get a better view of Jesus over the large crowd. Luke 19:5 describes the precise moment Jesus reached that spot.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative: Jesus initiates the encounter. He doesn't wait for Zacchaeus to call out or come to Him; instead, He looks up, sees him, and calls him by name. This highlights Jesus's omniscience and His active pursuit of the lost, demonstrating that His grace is proactive and personal.
  • Personal Invitation and Acceptance: Jesus's declaration, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house," is a direct, personal invitation for fellowship. This act of seeking to enter a tax collector's home was scandalous to the onlookers but signifies Jesus's radical inclusion and acceptance of those marginalized by society.
  • Urgency and Readiness: The command "make haste, and come down" emphasizes the immediate and decisive response Jesus expects from those He calls. Zacchaeus's quick descent (Luke 19:6) demonstrates his eager readiness to receive Jesus.
  • Jesus's Mission: This pivotal moment perfectly illustrates Jesus's ultimate purpose, as stated later in this chapter: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Jesus's willingness to associate with a societal outcast underscores His boundless grace and His focus on spiritual rescue.

Linguistic Insights

The name Zacchaeus (Greek: Zakchaios) is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "pure" or "innocent." This is notably ironic given his profession and the general perception of tax collectors, yet it beautifully foreshadows the spiritual cleansing and transformation he is about to experience. The word abide (Greek: menō - μένω) indicates more than a fleeting visit; it implies a deeper stay, signifying fellowship and the establishment of a relationship.

Practical Application

Luke 19:5 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that Jesus sees beyond our public image, our past failures, or our societal standing. He knows us by name and desires a personal relationship with us. Just as He called Zacchaeus down from his sycomore tree, He calls each of us from whatever "high places" of pride, isolation, or hiding we might occupy, inviting us into His transforming presence and fellowship. This verse challenges us to respond with readiness and joy to His unexpected and gracious invitations, trusting that His desire is always to enter our lives and bring about spiritual renewal.

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.

  • Revelation 3:20

    Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

  • John 14:23

    Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

  • Hebrews 13:2

    Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

  • John 1:48

    Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

  • Ephesians 3:17

    That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

  • Luke 19:10

    For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

  • Ezekiel 16:6

    ¶ And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee [when thou wast] in thy blood, Live.

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