Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 19:7

"And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner." — Luke 19:7 (ASV)

Earlier Luke gave us three parables Jesus used to answer the “Pharisees and teachers of the law” who opposed his eating with tax collectors and “sinners” (15:1–2). Now “all the people” complain that Jesus was consorting with a sinner (cf. 5:29–30). In each case table fellowship was involved—something that had a far deeper significance than our dinner parties .

This sycamore tree in the city of Jericho is similar to the one that Zacchaeus climbed in order to see Jesus pass by.

The implication of Jesus’ question is clear: Jesus refuses to give more light to those who refuse to accept the light they have (v.8) and make a decision concerning it (vv.5–7). They choose to stay on a worldly level of thinking. The word “heaven” (GK 4041) is a surrogate for God in vv.3, 5.