Zacchaeus, the tax collector in the tree

A chief tax collector in Jericho, a wealthy man who supervised other collectors. He was short in height.

Jericho was on a major trade route, so taxing goods there was profitable. Chief tax collectors were seen as thieves and traitors. A grown man running or climbing a tree lost dignity. Staying at someone's home publicly honored the host.

Jesus called him by name and invited himself to his house, and the crowd grumbled. Before Jesus said anything about his sin, Zacchaeus promised to give half his goods to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he had cheated.

• 'Zacchaeus' means 'pure' or 'innocent,' an ironic name.
• Fourfold repayment exceeded what the law required for voluntary confession.

Local men who bought the right to collect tolls and taxes for Rome or Herod's sons, and often overcharged.

• They were seen as traitors and cheats and grouped with "sinners" (Mark 2:16).
• Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Jericho, a wealthy trade hub.
• Matthew (Levi) left his tax booth at Capernaum to follow Jesus.
• John the Baptist told tax collectors: "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you" (Luke 3:13).