The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 132

EXPOSITION. announced hie intention of lodging for the OBAP'l'ER XIX, night with one whose life's occupation was Vere. 1-10.-Jeau, lodges in Che hou,e of so hateful to the Jewish religions world. Zaoch211,s, " the chief among the publicans" at The Master recognized in the intense eager- Jericho. This episode, which took place at ness of Zacchmus to get a sight of him, and possibly a word from him, that it was in the Jericho just before the Lord's entry into chief publican's house where lay his Father's J erUBBlem the last time, is peculiar to thi.a business for him in Jericho. Gospel. That the source was Hebrew Ver. 7.-They e.11 murmured. This very (Aramaic) is clear from the wording of the inclusive statement, " they all," shows the narration. Some brief Hebrew (Aramaic) general intensely Jewish spirit of the age, narrow and sectarian. The people could memoir was given to St. Luke, whence he not imagine goodness, or earnestness, or derived his information of this most inte- generosity in one who served the hateful resting and instructive incident of the last Roman power. Probably in priestly Jericho journey of the Master. this stem exclusive spirit was especially dominant. Vere. I, 2.-And Jesus entered and passed Ver. 8.-And ZacchlBus stood, and said through J'erioho. And, behold, there was a unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my man named Zaoohmus, whioh was the ohief goods I give to the poor; and if I have ta.ken among the publicans, and he was rich. anything from any man by false accusation, Jericho, under the ],lerods, had become age.in I restore him fourfold. Zacchieus's memor- an important centre of trade. It lay on the able speech was addressed not as an apologia road from Perms to Judma and Egypt, and to the murmuring, jealous crowd, eithe:r in had, of course, an important custom-house. the room or the courtyard of the house, but The balm which came especially from the to his Divine Guest, who, he felt, understood Gilead district was sent through there into him, whose great heart, he knew, sympa- all parts of the world. Zo.cchmus was at the thized with him in that life of his, so head of this customs department at Jericho, tempted and yet so full of qniet, noble acts; The exact position of such an official in for the chief publican's words do not refer those days is not known. He probably to a. future purpose, but they speak of a. farmed the customs revenue under some past rule of life which he had set for himself great Roman capitalist of the equestrian to follow, and probably had followed for a order. In such an appointment it was easy long period. So Godet, who pare.phrases to commit even involuute.ry injustices. The thus: "He whom thou hast thought good temptations to such an officie.l to enrich to choose as thy host is not, as is alleged, himself at the expense of others, besides, a being unworthy of thy choice. Lo, pub- were sadly numerous. Named Zacch:eu,. lican though I am, it is no ill-gotten g~in Zalclcai signifies "pure" (see Ezl'a ii. 9; with which I entertain thee." In a. pro- Neh. vii. 14). It is curious that we find in fession like his, it wo.s easy to commit in- the Talmud a ma.n named Zakkai, the father voluntary injustice, There m1ty, too, have of the famous rabbi Jochanan, living at been, probably was, many a hard if not un Jericho. unjust act worked by the chief of the ta.x- Ver. S.-:e:e was little of stature. Suoh j?ntherers and his subordinates in their a curious detail comes, of course, from some difficult employment. memoir written just at the time. Ver. 9.-And .Jesus said unto him, This Ver. 4.-Into a sycomore tree. Ficu, day is se.lvation come to this house. This sycomorus, the fig-mulberry, is here meant. solemn announcement on the part of the It grew in the Jordan valley to a consider- Redeemer was something more thau a mere able height; the low, spreading branches comforting assurance to a mau who, in spite were easy to climb. " We can picture the of difficulties and temptations, had striven scene to our mind's eye. The eager, wist- manfully to lead a brave and generous life, ful, supplicating face looking down from the helping, it is olea.r, the very multitude who fresh green foliage-it was early spring- were so ready to revile him. It is an and meet.ing the gaze of Jesus as he passed" assurance to the world thnt men might (Dean Plumptre). work in any profession or calling, and at Ver. 5.-Zaoohmus, make haste, and come the same time live a life pleasing to God. down; for to-day I must abide at thy house. It repeats with intense emphasis-and this Jericho was one of the citieB of the priests, is the great lesson of this striking scene - and yet our Lortl, setting publio opinion thl\t it is never the work or the position in at dofiD.uce, pnBBed over their houses, and life which ennobles the wa.n in the sight of 136 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [aH. xrx. 1-4R.