Literature. — For homiletical treatment of these four inci- dents referring to vexvlo-xoi, the following may be consulted : — 1. Lynch, Sermons/or my Curates, p. 175 ff. ; Martineau, End. after the Christian Life, p. 265 ff. ; Expositor, i. vi. [1877] p. 229 ff. 2. Trench, Notes on the Miracles ; W. M. Taylor, Miracles of Our Lord. 3. Expositor, i. i. [1875] p. 436 ff. See art. Mark. 4. Maclaren, Sennons preached in Manchester, 2nd ser. p. 190 ff.
C. L. Feltoe.
ZAGGH.S:US (Za/cxaTos; Heb. '31 'pure').— The graphic narrative of Lk lO'"!" tells us all that we know of Zacchseus, and his name does not occur elsewhere in the NT. The importance of Jericho as a trade centre, the abundance and value of whose products called forth the enthusiastic approbation of Josephus {BJ IV. viii. 2, 3), required the em- ployment of a considerable number of tax-collec- tors, and these were under the general direction of Zacchseus (cf. apxi-reXuv-qs, v.'^), who may, in point of fact, have been himself the fortunate lease- holder of the customs of that particular district. In other words, he may have purchased from the authorities the right to be as exacting as he pleased in his demands upon the people, provided he knew enough of the law to avoid the risk of exposure. There is no reason to believe that Zacchseus was a notoriously bad representative of his class ; but, on the other hand, having regard to that remorse- ful cry of his which seems to have been the product of an awakened conscience (v.*), it does not appear that his methods were always strictly equitable. He was, so far as one may gather, a publicanus (see art. Publican) of more than average respecta- bility, yet not above some of the questionable ways associated with his profession. To paint his char- acter in lurid colours, as distinguished by unusual heartlessness and selfishness, is not in accordance with the impression conveyed by the narrative.
One is never quite safe in venturing upon a pro- nouncement with regard to motives — they are generally so curiously mixed ; and possibly a variety of motives contributed to the impulse which brought Zacchaeus into contact with Jesus that day. But while it might be too much to say that higher motives were entirely absent, it is quite obvious that the part played by a naturally lively curiosity was not inconsiderable. In this connexion, the contrast between Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom and Zacchseus leaving all thoughts of business behind and climbing a tree with eager speed, is sufficiently great to indicate a vital dift'erenee in character between the two men.
More interesting than the attitude of Zacchseus towards Jesus is the attitude of Jesus towards him. If we look for an explanation of the wonder- ful transformation, implicated in the resolve in which Zacchseus gave expression to his feelings,
we find it, undoubtedly, in the delightful frankness of Christ's first salutation, and in His courageous brushing aside of popular prejudice. In no other way could He have so completely gained, first, the attention, and then the heart of one whom society united in passing by. Nothing, surely, could be more remarkable than the delicate insight which led Jesus to choose Zacchseus as His host. It was an irresistible touch, and, mingled with the other happy recollections of that day, it would abide in the mind of the publican as a peculiarly grateful memory.
Literature. — In addition to the various Comm., see A. B. Davidson, Called of God, 275 ; Matheson, Representative Men of the NT, 205 ; F. W. Robertson, Serm. i. v., ii. xvi. ; Lynch, Serm. for my Curates, 71 ; A. Maclaren, Paul's Prayers, etc. 88 ; Seeley, Ecce Homo, xx. ; C. S. Horse, Rock of Ages, 281 ; artt. ' Jericho ' and ' Publican ' in Hastings' DB.
A. G. Campbell. ZACHARIAH.— See Baeachiah.
Z ACHARIAS {Zaxaplas). — Father of John the Baptist (Lk l^-^''- ^''^**) ; a Jewish priest, who was an old man at the close of the reign of Herod the Great (B.C. 4). ' The strawberry grows underneath the nettle,' and, even in that evil time of wicked- ness in high places in Church and State, there lived in Palestine no inconsiderable number of just and devout persons both among priests and people. Of such was Zacharias. A Jewish priest, a member of the family of Abijah, Zacharias had been so care- ful to observe the law regarding the marriage of priests (Lv 21''""), that he chose for wife one of the sacerdotal house, a daughter of Aaron (v.^), named after Aaron's wife (Ex 6-*), Elisabeth, who was as pious as himself. They were righteous not only in the sight of men but of God, and blameless in their care to observe all His commandments and ordi- nances ; but notwithstanding this, and the promise of God by Jeremiah ( Jer 33^*), and their eager desire, and Zacharias' lifelong prayer (v.^^), their union was not blessed vnth offspring. It was due to Elisa- beth's barrenness (v.'') ; and she keenly felt the reproach Avhich it occasioned {v.^^), for it was a common opinion among the Jews that childlessness was God's punishment for guilt. They had both reached old age when the miraculous event occurred which surpassed all they could have looked for.