21st Sunday after Pentecost Luke 19:1-10

Context

Luke 19:1-10 is a part of the central section of the gospel of Luke (9:51-19:28), largely consisting of parables and teachings that Jesus shares with his disciples while on the way to Jerusalem. Often referred to as the “Travel Narrative,” these ten chapters contain many of Jesus’ most well-known parables, including the Good Samaritan, the Rich Fool, and the Prodigal Son. Many of the stories and parables in this section (including the story of Zacchaeus) relate to God’s love for the lost, the outsider, and the outcast. 

The story that precedes our text is that of Jesus healing a blind man (18:35-43). The fact that both the blind man and Zacchaeus have trouble seeing (εἶδον) creates a strong connection between the two stories. One man…

1. What do you think it was like to be Zacchaeus before he had this encounter with Jesus? 

2. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Who are the tax collectors of our day that are despised and considered by some to be outside the promises of God?

3. Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus so badly that he climbed that sycamore tree?

4. What’s behind the grumbling of the crowd? Have you ever…