Zacchaeus, the man who climbed a tree
Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho, climbed a tree to see Jesus pass by. Jesus called him by name and stayed at his house. Luke 19:1-10
The story, in plain words
In Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector, and he was rich. Luke 19:1-2
When Jesus arrived, Zacchaeus wanted to see him. But he was short, and the crowd blocked his view. Luke 19:3
So he ran ahead and climbed a tree, a sycamore. Luke 19:4
Jesus reached that spot, looked up, and called him by name. He told him to come down quickly, because that day he had to stay at Zacchaeus’s house. Luke 19:5…
The rest of the story is part of the subscription.
See the mapWhat the Bible says
Luke 19:1-10
1And entering in, he walked through Jericho. 2And behold, there was a man named Zacheus, who was the chief of the publicans, and he was rich. 3And he sought to see Jesus who he was, and he could not for the crowd, because he was low of stature. 4And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might see him; for he was to pass that way. 5And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, he saw him, and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down; for this day I must abide in thy house. 6And he made haste and came down; and received him with joy. 7And when all saw it, they murmured, saying, that he was gone to be a guest with a man that was a sinner. 8But Zacheus standing, said to the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have wronged any man of any thing, I restore him fourfold. 9Jesus said to him: This day is salvation come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted so much to see Jesus?
- People spoke badly about Zacchaeus. How do you think he felt?
- For the child: what would you have done if you were Zacchaeus and could not see?