Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 19:3

"And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature." — Luke 19:3 (ASV)

And he sought to see Jesus who he was;

Possibly he had not much respect, but he had great curiosity; he would like to see the man about whom everybody was talking: He sought to see Jesus who he was.

And could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

The crowd around him was so thick that the little short man could not see over the heads of the tall people. Though he pushed and tried to get in front, there was always some bigger body before him, so that he could not see the great Teacher.

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

That was a fortunate thing for him. We need not all wish to be so tall as some people are. Perhaps Zacchaeus would not have gone up the sycomore tree if he had been a tall man; but the whole story turns upon something which many regard as a disadvantage: he was little of stature.

And he sought to see Jesus who he was;

He did not seek to hear him; his curiosity lay in another direction, — he desired to see him. Who could this man be who created such a stir? What kind of man was he?