Luke19
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And he entered and was passing through Jericho.
2And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich.
3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature.
4And he ran on before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house.
6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner.
8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man, I restore fourfold.
9And Jesus said unto him, To-day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
11And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear.
12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade ye herewith till I come.
14But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us.
15And it came to pass, when he was come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants, unto whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading.
16And the first came before him, saying, Lord, thy pound hath made ten pounds more.
17And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18And the second came, saying, Thy pound, Lord, hath made five pounds.
19And he said unto him also, Be thou also over five cities.
20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin:
21for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou layedst not down, and reapest that which thou didst not sow.
22He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow;
23then wherefore gavest thou not my money into the bank, and I at my coming should have required it with interest?
24And he said unto them that stood by, Take away from him the pound, and give it unto him that hath the ten pounds.
25And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.
26I say unto you, that unto every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him.
27But these mine enemies, that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28And when he had thus spoken, he went on before, going up to Jerusalem.
29And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,
30saying, Go your way into the village over against you; in which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him.
31And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him.
32And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them.
33And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon.
36And as he went, they spread their garments in the way.
37And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen;
38saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples.
40And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out.
41And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it,
42saying, If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43For the days shall come upon thee, when thine enemies shall cast up a bank about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44and shall dash thee to the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
45And he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold,
46saying unto them, It is written, And my house shall be a house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of robbers.
47And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him:
48and they could not find what they might do; for the people all hung upon him, listening.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 19.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The conversion of Zaccheus. (1–10). The parable of the nobleman and his servants. (11–27). Christ enters Jerusalem. (28–40). Christ laments over Jerusalem. (41–48).
vv1-10
Those who sincerely desire a sight of Christ, like Zaccheus, will break through opposition, and take pains to see him. Christ invited himself to Zaccheus' house. Wherever Christ comes he opens the heart, and inclines it to receive him. He that has a mind to know Christ, shall be known of him. Those whom Christ calls, must humble themselves, and come down. We may well receive him joyfully, who brings all good with him. Zaccheus gave proofs publicly that he was become a true convert. He does not look to be justified by his works, as the Pharisee; but by his good works he will, through the grace of God, show the sincerity of his faith and repentance. Zaccheus is declared to be a happy man, now he is turned from sin to God. Now that he is saved from his sins, from the guilt of them, from the power of them, all the benefits of salvation are his. Christ is come to his house, and where Christ comes he brings salvation with him. He came into this lost world to seek and to save it. His design was to save, when there was no salvation in any other. He seeks those that sought him not, and asked not for him.
vv11-27
This parable is like that of the talents, Mt 25. Those that are called to Christ, he furnishes with gifts needful for their business; and from those to whom he gives power, he expects service. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, 1Co 12:7. And as every one has received the gift, so let him minister the same, 1Pe 4:10. The account required, resembles that in the parable of the talents; and the punishment of the avowed enemies of Christ, as well as of false professors, is shown. The principal difference is, that the pound given to each seems to point out the gift of the gospel, which is the same to all who hear it; but the talents, distributed more or less, seem to mean that God gives different capacities and advantages to men, by which this one gift of the gospel may be differently improved.
vv28-40
Christ has dominion over all creatures, and may use them as he pleases. He has all men's hearts both under his eye and in his hand. Christ's triumphs, and his disciples' joyful praises, vex proud Pharisees, who are enemies to him and to his kingdom. But Christ, as he despises the contempt of the proud, so he accepts the praises of the humble. Pharisees would silence the praises of Christ, but they cannot; for as God can out of stones raise up children unto Abraham, and turn the stony heart to himself, so he can bring praise out of the mouths of children. And what will be the feelings of men when the Lord returns in glory to judge the world!
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai): to enter (literally or figuratively)
Ἱεριχώ (Hierichṓ): Jericho, a place in Palestine
διέρχομαι (diérchomai): to traverse (literally)
ἰδού (idoú): used as imperative lo!;
ἀνήρ (anḗr): a man (properly as an individual male)
Ζακχαῖος (Zakchaîos): Zacchæus, an Israelite
ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
ἀρχιτελώνης (architelṓnēs): a principle tax-gatherer
πλούσιος (ploúsios): wealthy; figuratively, abounding with
Cross References
Luke 19Prophetic fulfillment of the King coming in peace, riding on a colt, the foal of an ass.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The primary sister parable (the Talents) illustrating stewardship of gifts and rewards upon Christ's return.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The direct Messianic quote shouted by the crowds: 'Blessed be the King that cometh...'
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Direct citation of Jeremiah's warning regarding God's house being turned into a den of thieves.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct citation of Isaiah's prophecy: 'My house shall be called an house of prayer.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts Zacchaeus's joyful generosity with the rich young ruler's sorrowful inability to part with riches.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct thematic link to finding and rejoicing over that which was lost.
Supported by JFB
Shows the persistent disciple expectation that the political kingdom of God would immediately appear.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
John the Baptist's specific call for publicans to bring forth fruits meet for repentance.
Supported by JFB
Explains how Zacchaeus is a 'son of Abraham' by faith, not merely physical lineage.
Supported by JFB
The resolution of the citizens' rebellion in the parable, previewing the destruction of Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels Christ's deep emotional lamentation and weeping over the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Samuel's public declaration of integrity and readiness to restore any defrauded goods.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Exhorts believers to minister their diverse spiritual gifts as good stewards of God's grace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament prophecy of Jerusalem being plowed as a field and left in ruins.
Supported by Matthew Poole