Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 19:1

"And he entered and was passing through Jericho." — Luke 19:1 (ASV)

Zacchaeus was a “chief tax collector,” holding a higher office in the Roman tax system than Levi did (5:27–30). This system, under which an officer gained his income by extorting more money from the people than he had contracted to pay the Roman government, had evidently worked well for Zacchaeus. His location in the major customs center of Jericho was ideal. Observe the proximity of this story to that of the rich ruler, whose attitude toward wealth kept him from the Lord (18:27). Zacchaeus’s desire to see Jesus was surpassed by the fact that Jesus wanted to see him.

Jesus’ authority is of paramount importance, and his work as teacher and prophet requires validation. It is therefore appropriate that the controversy section begins with this question about his authority as teacher and preacher. “One day” is indefinite. As in 19:47, Luke also emphasizes the people’s (GK 3295) receptiveness to his teaching (cf. comment on 19:45–48).