Zacchaeus receives Jesus
Luke 19:1–10FocusSalvation and changed conduct
Connection to the wholeThe encounter displays Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost, with Zacchaeus' response taking concrete form.
interpretation Luke 19:42
KJVSaying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
Read it in context
Entry, lament, and temple action
Start reading at Luke 19:28 (Luke 19:28 to Luke 19:48).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Jesus enters Jerusalem, weeps over its failure to recognize the time of visitation, and acts in the temple as opposition intensifies.
- 19:28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
- 19:29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
- 19:30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
- 19:31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
- 19:32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
- 19:33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
- 19:34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
- 19:35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
- 19:36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
- 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
- 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
- 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
- 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
- 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
- 19:42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
- 19:43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
- 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
- 19:45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
- 19:46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
- 19:47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
- 19:48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 19:1–19:48): Zacchaeus receives Jesus at Jericho; Jesus teaches those listening, enters Jerusalem before the crowd, and teaches in the temple while leaders seek to destroy Him. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Entry, lament, and temple action. Read Luke 19:28 through Luke 19:48 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Jesus enters Jerusalem, weeps over its failure to recognize the time of visitation, and acts in the temple as opposition intensifies. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Entry, lament, and temple action (Luke 19:28 to Luke 19:48). Start reading at Luke 19:28. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 19:28, Luke 19:48, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
The entry into Jerusalem
Parallel accounts
These passages describe overlapping parts of the same event. Each account retains its own wording and emphasis.
Related passages
- If Deut 5:29 Deut 32:29 Ps 81:13 Isa 48:18 Ezek 18:31-32 Ezek 33:11
- in this Luke 19:44 Ps 32:6 Ps 95:7-8 Isa 55:6 John 12:35-36 2 Cor 6:1-2
- the things Luke 1:77-79 Luke 2:10-14 Luke 10:5-6 Acts 10:36 Acts 13:46 Heb 3:7,13,15 Heb 10:26-29 Heb 12:24-26
- but Isa 6:9-10 Isa 29:10-14 Isa 44:18 Matt 13:14-15 John 12:38-41 Acts 28:25-27 Rom 11:7-10 2 Cor 3:14-16
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 19
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The entrusted pounds
Luke 19:11–27FocusService during the king's absence
Connection to the wholeBecause hearers expect the kingdom to appear immediately, the parable addresses faithful work and accountability during an interval.
interpretation FocusJerusalem's visitation
Connection to the wholeJesus enters Jerusalem, weeps over its failure to recognize the time of visitation, and acts in the temple as opposition intensifies.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.