King James Version

What Does Luke 19:8 Mean?

Luke 19:8 in the King James Version says “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And 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.

Luke 19:8 · KJV


Context

6

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8

And 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.

9

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Zacchaeus' response: 'And 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.' Zacchaeus 'stood' (σταθεὶς, statheis)—a decisive posture for important declarations. He addresses Jesus as 'Lord' (Κύριε, Kyrie) twice, acknowledging authority. His declaration: 'the half of my goods I give to the poor' (τὰ ἡμίσιά μου τῶν ὑπαρχόντων, Κύριε, τοῖς πτωχοῖς δίδωμι, ta hēmisia mou tōn hyparchontōn, Kyrie, tois ptōchois didōmi)—extraordinary generosity, present tense indicating ongoing commitment. Second: 'if I have taken any thing... by false accusation, I restore... fourfold' (εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν, ei tinos ti esykophantēsa apodidōmi tetraploun)—beyond Mosaic law's requirement (Exodus 22:1, Leviticus 6:5). This demonstrates genuine conversion's fruit: restitution, generosity, transformed use of wealth.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tax collectors routinely extorted excess payments, keeping the surplus. Roman law permitted this, making tax collectors wealthy through exploitation. Mosaic law required 20% restitution plus the principal for fraud (Leviticus 6:5), but Zacchaeus commits to fourfold restitution—the penalty for stealing sheep (Exodus 22:1). His generosity exceeded legal requirements, demonstrating heart transformation. Critics note the verbs are present tense ('I give,' 'I restore'), possibly indicating Zacchaeus already practiced these principles, contrary to popular assumptions about his wickedness. Either way, his declaration proves genuine conversion by transformed relationship with money. True salvation always impacts the wallet—greed gives way to generosity, exploitation to restitution, self-service to others-service.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zacchaeus' response demonstrate genuine repentance and faith?
  2. What does his commitment to restitution and generosity teach about salvation's effect on materialism?
  3. How should conversion affect Christians' use of money, particularly if wealth was gained unjustly?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
σταθεὶς1 of 24

stood

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 24

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Ζακχαῖος3 of 24

Zacchaeus

G2195

zacchaeus, an israelite

εἶπεν4 of 24

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς5 of 24

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν6 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριε7 of 24

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Ἰδού,8 of 24

Behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

τὰ9 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμίση10 of 24

the half

G2255

(as noun) half

τῶν11 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπαρχόντων12 of 24

goods

G5224

things extant or in hand, i.e., property or possessions

μου13 of 24

of my

G3450

of me

κύριε14 of 24

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

δίδωμι15 of 24

I give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

τοῖς16 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πτωχοῖς17 of 24

to the poor

G4434

akin to g4422 and the alternate of g4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e., pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used i

καὶ18 of 24

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἴ19 of 24
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

τι20 of 24

from any man

G5100

some or any person or object

τι21 of 24

from any man

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐσυκοφάντησα22 of 24

I have taken

G4811

to be a fig-informer (reporter of the law forbidding the exportation of figs from greece), "sycophant", i.e., (genitive and by extension) to defraud (

ἀποδίδωμι23 of 24

I restore

G591

to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)

τετραπλοῦν24 of 24

him fourfold

G5073

quadruple


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 19:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 19:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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