28. All (zdyra). The best texts read 7a idva, owr own. So Rey.
31-34. Compare Matt. xx. 17-19. Mark x. 32-34.
31. By the prophets (id). Lit., through; the preposition expressing secondary agency.
34, Saying (pfjua). See on ch. i. 37.
Were said (Acyépeva). Or, more correctly, which were be- ing said to them at the moment.
35-43; xix. 1. Compare Matt. xx. 29-34. Mark x. 46-52.
39. Cried (&xpatev). A stronger word than €Béncev, cried, in the previous verse, which is merely to ery or shout, while this is to ery clamorously ; to scream or shriek. Compare Matt. xv. 23; Mark v. 5; Acts xix. 28-34.
To be brought unto (4y9jvau pos). Used by Luke alone in the sense of bringing the sick to Christ. He also uses the compound verb zpoodyo, which was a common medical term for bringing the sick to a physician, both in that and in other senses. See ch. ix. 41; Acts xvi. 20; xxvii. 27.
408 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu XIX.
1-10. Tue Story or Zaccuarvs. Peculiar to Luke.
1. Jericho. ‘The city was close to the fords of the Jordan, on the frontier of Peraea, and on the richest plain of Palestine, abounding most in the choicest productions, especially balsam ; and was, therefore, an appropriate seat for an officer of supe- rior rank to preside over the collection of revenues. See on Matt. ix. 9; Luke iii. 12.
2. Named (ovoyware xarovmevos). Lit., called by name. Com- pare ch. i. 61.
Zacchaeus. Saccai, “the just.”
3. He sought (e%jre). Imperfect. He was busy seeking as Jesus passed.
Who he was. Lit., is. Not to see what kind of a person, but which one of the crowd he was.
Stature (7A\ccia). See on ch. xii. 25.
4. Sycamore (cuxouopéav). From oveh, fig-tree, and Lopor, the mulberry. The fig-mulberry, resembling the fig in its fruit, and the mulberry in its leaves. Some old writers de- rived it from pwpés, foolish, because it produced worthless figs. Dr. Thomson says that it bears several crops yearly, which grow on short stems along the trunk and the large branches. They are very insipid, and none but the poorer classes eat them. Hence Amos expresses the fact that he belongs to the humblest class of the community, by calling himself a gatherer of syca- more fruit (Amos vii. 14). It grows with its large branches low down and wide open, so that Zacchaeus could easily have climbed into it. It is a favorite and pleasant conceit with old
Cu. XIX.) LUKE. 409
commentators that Zacchaeus’ sycamore that day bore precious fruit.
5. | must abide. “Adopting the royal style which was familiar to him, and which commends the loyalty of a vassal in
the most delicate manner by freely exacting his services” (“ Eece Homo”).
7. To be guest (xataddoau). More correctly, Rev., lodge. See on ch. ix. 12.
A sinner. See on ch. iii. 12.
8. Stood (craJeis). See on ch. xviii. 11. Describing a formal act, as of one who is about to make a solemn declara- tion. He was like the Pharisee in attitude, but not in spirit. The more formal word for standing, applied to the Pharisee in the temple, is here used of the publican.
I give. Not, It is my practice to give. Zacchaeus’ state- ment is not a vindication, but a vow. “I now give by way of restoration.”
If | have taken anything by false accusation (e¢ ru éovKo- pavrnca). Lf—anything does not state a merely possible case, as if Zacchaeus were unconscious of any such extortion ; but is a milder way of saying “ Whatever I have taken.” See on ch. iii, 14. It is an odd coincidence, nothing more, that the jig- mulberry (sycamore) should occur in connection with the jig- shewer (sycophant). It was common for the publicans to put a fictitious value on property or income, or to advance the tax to those unable to pay, and then to charge usurious interest on the private debt. On the harsh exaction of such debts, see Matt. xviii. 28; Luke xii. 58.