Who was Zacchaeus?
Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector in Jericho — short in stature and despised as a traitor — who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Jesus called him by name, dined at his house, and transformed his life.
Tax collectors were seen as collaborators and extortioners. Zacchaeus was the chief of them, and rich from it.
Jesus’ initiative is the heart of the story: "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." Grace sought him first.
The fruit was immediate: he gave half his goods to the poor and repaid the cheated fourfold. "Today salvation has come to this house… the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:9–10).
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.