Luke 19:1-10

Jesus had been working in the Easter Desert on the far side of the Jordan River. In just a few days, Jesus would be hanging on the cross. As He was passing through Jericho, He was making His way to Jerusalem.

Zacchaeus is given a title that is only used for him – “Chief” publican (or tax collector). This probably meant he was the head tax man.

Zacchaeus would be responsible to the Roman government to manage the local tax collectors and their money. Most Jews hated Roman rule. Any Jew who was on the Roman payroll was regarded as a traitor. Every time a Jew saw Zacchaeus out collecting taxes, it was a painful reminder of the Roman rule they were under.

Zacchaeus had everything he could think of to make him happy, but he obviously had a void somewhere. He apparently was empty and lonely within his heart. He may have heard of Jesus touching lives (Jesus has just healed blind Bartemaeus). Zacchaeus was interested in seeing who Jesus was.