Luke19
King James Version · Public Domain
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4And he ran 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 saw him, 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, That he was gone to be guest 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 taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of man is come 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 thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32And they that were sent went their way, 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 cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37And when he was come nigh, even now 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 that they had seen;
38Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44And shall lay thee even with 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 went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
47And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
48And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
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