Jesus and Zacchaeus
A despised tax collector climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus calls him down and transforms his life.
Luke 19:1-10
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The Story
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
All the people saw this and began to mutter, 'He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.'
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'
Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'
Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector—wealthy because he worked for Rome and likely cheated his own people. He was despised. Yet something drew him to Jesus. He was so determined to see Him that this wealthy, dignified man climbed a tree like a child.
Jesus didn't wait for Zacchaeus to come to Him. He looked up, called him by name, and invited Himself to dinner. The crowd was scandalized, but Jesus saw what they couldn't: a lost son ready to come home. Zacchaeus's response proved his heart had changed—immediate, generous restitution.
The Little Man in the Tree
Kids Version
In the town of Jericho lived a man named Zacchaeus. He had two problems:
1. He was really SHORT.
2. Nobody liked him because he was a tax collector who cheated people.
One day, Jesus came walking through Jericho! HUGE crowds gathered. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus SO badly, but he was too short to see over everyone's heads!
So Zacchaeus did something funny. He ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree! There he sat, waiting for Jesus to walk by.
When Jesus got to that tree, He stopped. He looked UP.
'Zacchaeus!' Jesus called. 'Come down! I'm coming to YOUR house today!'
Zacchaeus almost fell out of the tree! Jesus knew his NAME! Jesus wanted to visit HIM!
He scrambled down that tree as fast as he could.
The crowd grumbled. 'Why is Jesus going to THAT man's house? He's a cheater! A sinner!'
But something amazing happened to Zacchaeus. Being with Jesus changed his heart!
'Lord,' Zacchaeus said, 'I'm going to give HALF of everything I own to poor people! And anyone I've cheated—I'll pay them back FOUR TIMES as much!'
Jesus smiled. 'Today salvation has come to this house! I came to find and save lost people—just like Zacchaeus.'
Zacchaeus was lost and lonely. But Jesus found him, loved him, and changed him completely. Jesus can do the same for anyone!
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Scripture — Luke 19:1-10 (KJV)
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.
Memory Verse
“And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.”
— Luke 19:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus and Zacchaeus” in the Bible?
A despised tax collector climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus calls him down and transforms his life. This story is found in Luke 19:1-10.
Where is “Jesus and Zacchaeus” found in the Bible?
“Jesus and Zacchaeus” is found in Luke 19:1-10, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “Jesus and Zacchaeus”?
This story teaches children about Salvation, Repentance, Jesus seeks the lost, Transformation. Zacchaeus was a short man who cheated people. He climbed a tree to see Jesus—and Jesus changed his whole life!