📖 Biblical Definition
Luke 19:1-10 records the conversion of Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho. He was rich and despised. Short of stature, he climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus passing through. Christ called him down by name, announced He would stay at his house, and the crowd murmured. At dinner, Zacchaeus stood and announced fourfold restitution to anyone he had defrauded and half his goods to the poor. Christ replied: This day is salvation come to this house... For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ZACCHAEUS IN T, n.
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A scriptural event; the conversion of Zacchaeus the chief tax collector.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 19:5 — "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."
Luke 19:8 — "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."
Luke 19:9 — "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."
Luke 19:10 — "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often skips restitution; Zacchaeus volunteered fourfold.
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Luke 19:8 contains one of the most concrete repentance-fruits in the Gospels. Zacchaeus did not just confess; he restored fourfold and gave half his goods to the poor. The fruit of repentance was specific, generous, and immediate. Christ's announcement of salvation followed the fruit, not the confession alone.
Modern Christianity often skips restitution. We confess to God and assume horizontal relationships are unaffected. Zacchaeus disagrees. The man who defrauded must restore; the man who slandered must clear; the man who stole must return. The Lord still saves Zacchaeuses. The sycamore is still in the road; the call is still personal; the fruit is still measured.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G2195 — Zakchaios — Zacchaeus
G754 — architelones — chief tax collector
Usage
"Modern Christianity skips restitution; Zacchaeus volunteered fourfold."
"Salvation came to his house after concrete fruit, not confession alone."
"The sycamore is still in the road; the fruit is still measured."