The opening verses of Luke, chapter 19, reveal two opposing opinions of Zacchaeus. As seen by his countrymen, the Jews, Zacchaeus was the publican, the extortioner, the collaborator with Rome and a sinner. In the eyes of Jesus Christ, however, Zacchaeus was a true “son of Abraham.” It is both interesting and profitable to examine the evidence leading to each viewpoint.
The name Zacchaeus would suggest a Hebrew national, since it means “pure” or “righteous.” The term “publicans,” although used frequently in the A.V., is never a translation of the word “publicani” but always of the word “telones.” The term “publicani” only strictly applies to the direct farmers of taxes from the Government, being taken from the inexact rendering of the Vulgate. The publicans were tax-collectors of the Roman civil power. The taxes were farmed by the rich Roman citizens of the Equestrian Order, or sometimes by a joint-stock company at Rome, who had agents in the provinces to arrange the actual collection from the people. These agents divided the country into districts which were separately offered by public competition to be “farmed” by the highest bidder. The buyer was usually required to pay the purchase money (either wholly or by installments) in advance, but he was duly at liberty to recoup himself. He was usually a native of the country, and, well knowing its resources and the temper of its people, he used his knowledge and power to extort as much as possible for his own profit. In this he was supported by the Equestrian Order at Rome, who carried most oppressive decrees in the Senate against defaulters. Such were the “tax-gatherers” (A.V. “publicans”) — universally despised, branded as plunderers, beasts of prey and coupled with the vilest and most contemptible characters. Moreover, because much of the tax was an ad valorem duty on property and produce, which the “publican” gauged, then there was ample opportunity for unjust exaction. The question, “Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar?” was ever rife; and to the Jews, such subordination was a peculiar sting, for they liked to pride themselves as being “Abraham’s seed and in bondage to no man.” It is no wonder, then, that the “publicans” were regarded as traitors to their country and to their God; and even our Lord classed them with evil men, although his general denunciation of “publicans” proves that a general denunciation of a class by him does not necessarily mean that individuals will be rejected. Zacchaeus “was rich” in the words of the inspired record, while those just mentioned at the end of the previous chapter (as having become followers of the Master) were poor men. Luke tells us, nevertheless, how anxious was Zacchaeus to see Jesus and that, being short of stature, he climbed a sycamore tree for the purpose.
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Author: Stanley Bayliss
Keywords: Zacchaeus, wee little Zacchaeus, publican
Bible reference(s): Luke 19:2-9
Source: “Zacchaeus—‘Sinner’ or ‘Son of Abraham’?” The Testimony, Vol. 18, No. 207, March 1948, pp. 75-7.
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