Luke 19
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1He entered and was passing through Jericho. 2There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. 4He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. 7When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” 8Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” 9Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” 11As they heard these things, he went on and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that God’s Kingdom would be revealed immediately. 12He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13He called ten servants of his, and gave them ten mina coins, and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’ 14But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’ 15“When he had come back again, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by conducting business. 16The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’ 17“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18“The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’ 19“So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20Another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief, 21for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’ 22“He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down, and reaping that which I didn’t sow. 23Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’ 24He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to him who has the ten minas.’ 25“They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26‘For I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him. 27But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’” 28Having said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29When he came near to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the mountain that is called Olivet, he sent two of his disciples, 30saying, “Go your way into the village on the other side, in which, as you enter, you will find a colt tied, which no man had ever sat upon. Untie it, and bring it. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say to him: ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32Those who were sent went away, and found things just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34They said, “The Lord needs it.” 35They brought it to Jesus. They threw their cloaks on the colt, and set Jesus on them. 36As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37As he was now getting near, 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 which they had seen, 38saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!” 39Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” 41When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it, 42saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. 43For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, 44and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.” 45He entered into the temple, and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, 46saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of robbers’!” 47He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people sought to destroy him. 48They couldn’t find what they might do, for all the people hung on to every word that he said.
World English Bible (public domain)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10
Summary
In Luke 19, Jesus's journey leads Him to Jericho, where He encounters Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector. Drawn by curiosity, Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus notices him and invites Himself to Zacchaeus's home, leading to Zacchaeus's conversion and repentance, as he pledges to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he defrauded. Jesus declares that salvation has come to his house, emphasizing His mission to seek and save the lost. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, He tells the parable of the minas, illustrating the responsibility of stewardship and the coming of God's kingdom. Entering Jerusalem triumphantly, Jesus is hailed as king by the crowds yet weeps over the city, foreseeing its future destruction due to their failure to recognize God's visitation in Jesus. He concludes the chapter by cleansing the temple, reaffirming its sanctity as a house of prayer.
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Chapter outline
How Luke 19 unfolds
Luke 19:1–6 Zacchaeus Seeks Jesus
Jesus passes through Jericho, where Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, climbs a tree to see Him. Jesus notices Zacchaeus and invites Himself to his house.
Luke 19:7–10 Response to Jesus's Invitation
The crowd murmurs about Jesus associating with a sinner, but Zacchaeus joyfully commits to giving to the poor and repaying those he wronged.
Luke 19:11–27 Parable of the Minas
Amid expectations of immediate kingdom revelation, Jesus shares a parable about stewardship, illustrating the consequences of faithfulness and opposition to his reign.
Luke 19:28–40 Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus approaches Jerusalem, instructing his disciples to fetch a colt, and He enters the city to the praises of the multitude.
Luke 19:41–44 Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
As Jesus nears Jerusalem, He weeps over the city's impending judgment for failing to recognize their Messiah.
Luke 19:45–48 Cleansing the Temple
Jesus enters the temple and drives out merchants, asserting its purpose as a house of prayer, while the leaders plot against Him.
Key verses
Luke 19:10Luke 19:10 encapsulates Jesus's purpose, highlighting His mission to seek and save those who are lost.
Main themes in Luke 19
repentance and salvation
Zacchaeus's story in verses 1-10 highlights the theme of repentance and salvation through his encounter with Jesus. Upon realizing his need for transformation, Zacchaeus responds by generously giving away his possessions and committing to restitution, which illustrates a genuine change in his life. This theme is central to the chapter, as it emphasizes Jesus's mission to seek and save the lost, culminating in His declaration that salvation has come to Zacchaeus's house.
stewardship
The parable of the minas in verses 11-27 emphasizes the theme of stewardship and accountability among Jesus's followers. In this teaching, Jesus illustrates the expectation that His disciples must manage their resources wisely while waiting for His return, reflecting their commitment to His kingdom. This theme is crucial in the chapter, as it conveys the importance of faithfulness and responsibility in the context of God's coming reign and the rewards for those who are diligent.
Jesus's kingship
As Jesus enters Jerusalem in verses 28-40, the crowds joyfully proclaim Him as king, which fulfills the messianic expectations of the people. However, this moment of recognition is complex, as it is contrasted by the impending suffering Jesus will face and the city's eventual rejection of Him. This theme of kingship in the chapter highlights the tension between the royal acclaim He receives and the misunderstanding of His true mission, foreshadowing the conflict ahead.
divine judgment and mercy
In verses 41-44, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, revealing a poignant blend of sorrow and divine judgment. He warns the city of the destruction that will come as a consequence of their rejection of Him, emphasizing the seriousness of their spiritual condition. This theme reflects God's desire for repentance and the tragic outcomes of hard-heartedness, illustrating how divine mercy is intertwined with the reality of judgment in the face of unrepentance.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Luke 19
- Matthew 9Both passages highlight Jesus's mission to reach out to sinners and extend mercy.
- Luke 15The theme of seeking the lost connects Zacchaeus's story with the parables of the lost sheep and coin.
- John 10Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, a theme reflected in His care for Zacchaeus.
- Matthew 21Jesus's entry into Jerusalem parallels His prophetic role as King, fulfilling Old Testament expectations.
- Ezekiel 34Ezekiel's themes of shepherding and judgment resonate with Jesus's actions and teachings in this chapter.
- 1 Timothy 1Paul's emphasis on mercy for sinners mirrors the transformative grace seen in Zacchaeus's story.
Study questions
Questions for studying Luke 19
- What actions does Zacchaeus take to see Jesus?
- How does Jesus's interaction with Zacchaeus challenge societal norms?
- What does the parable of the minas teach about stewardship?
- How do the crowds respond to Jesus's entry into Jerusalem?
- What reasons does Jesus give for weeping over Jerusalem?
- In what way does Jesus cleanse the temple, and why is it significant?
- What does Zacchaeus's transformation signify about repentance and salvation?
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