Luke19
New American Standard
1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.
2And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.
3Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature.
4So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree in order to see Him, because He was about to pass through that way.
5And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
6And he hurried and came down, and received Him joyfully.
7When the people saw this, they all began to complain, saying, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner!”
8But Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am giving back four times as much.”
9And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.
10For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
11Now while they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.
12So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then to return.
13And he called ten of his own slaves and gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business with this money until I come back.’
14But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’
15When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be summoned to him so that he would learn how much they had made by the business they had done.
16The first slave appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’
17And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave; since you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to have authority over ten cities.’
18The second one came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’
19And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
20And then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept tucked away in a handkerchief;
21for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’
22He said to him, ‘From your own lips I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow?
23And so why did you not put my money in the bank, and when I came back, I would have collected it with interest?’
24And then he said to the other slaves who were present, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’
25And they said to him, ‘Master, he already has ten minas.’
26‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
27But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’”
28After Jesus said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29When He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mountain that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples,
30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here.
31And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’”
32So those who were sent left and found it just as He had told them.
33And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34They said, “The Lord has need of it.”
35And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
36Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road.
37And as soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen,
38shouting: “Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39And yet some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”
40Jesus replied, “I tell you, if these stop speaking, the stones will cry out!”
41When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it,
42saying, “If you had known on this day, even you, the conditions for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.
43For the days will come upon you when your enemies will put up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side,
44and they will level you to the ground, and throw down your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
45And Jesus entered the temple grounds and began to drive out those who were selling,
46saying to them, “It is written: ‘And My house will be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”
47And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to put Him to death,
48and yet they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said.
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