Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 19:2

"And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich." — Luke 19:2 (ASV)

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans,–

That is, tax-gatherers.

And he was rich.

As they often were, for they farmed the taxes, and then squeezed every penny they could out of the people.

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

It was an important station for the collection of customs; there was a good deal of produce at Jericho upon which there was a tax, so Zacchaeus had a good post: he was rich.