Bible notes

• The story of Zacchaeus is about a real person, rather than a parable, and an unlikely role model for rich Christians in Luke’s church. It is a multi-layered story of inquisitive approach, repentance, dramatic change and restitution.
  
  

• Zacchaeus’ abundant wealth is derived from imposing Roman taxes on an occupied people, and collecting extra levies. As chief tax collector he would have subcontracted the work, which made it open to further abuse. Great wealth and power is usually associated with high status, yet he is reviled by his neighbours. This is a classic cause of stress and may have contributed to his odd behaviour in climbing a tree to see Jesus.
  
  
• Jesus takes the initiative by speaking to Zacchaeus and is rewarded with the tax collector’s hospitality. Jesus meets many people around the meal table and makes it a place of reconciliation. As Jesus is welcomed into Zacchaeus’ home, so he welcomes Zacchaeus into God’s kingdom and inspires radical change. Zacchaeus’ offer to reimburse those he has defrauded goes far beyond the biblical law of restitution (Leviticus 6.5).
  
  
• In the Old Testament, Isaiah offensively describes Israel’s leaders as no better than the oppressive rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah (Isaiah 1.10), saying that their animal sacrifices and ritual washing are pointless if they ignore injustice. But God is not concerned about offence if the end result is radical salvation, whether that is blood-stained sin bleached clean like snow (v.18), or a corrupt tax man restored to God and his community.