And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; 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.
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
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,
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.
And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
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;
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
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.
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,
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.
And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Luke 19 marks a pivotal transition in Jesus' ministry, bridging His journey towards Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:27) and His final week in the city. This chapter showcases encounters with individuals, pronouncements of parables, and climaxes with Jesus' triumphal entry, offering profound insights into the nature of salvation, stewardship, and the Kingdom of God. This chapter is crucial for understanding the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the events leading to His crucifixion and resurrection.
Zacchaeus: Salvation Comes to a Sinner (Luke 19:1-10)
The story of Zacchaeus is a powerful illustration of God's grace reaching the marginalized. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was a wealthy man despised by his fellow Jews for his collaboration with the Roman authorities. Tax collectors were seen as traitors who often extorted money for personal gain, placing them in the same category as "sinners" and prostitutes (Matthew 11:19, 21:31; Luke 15:1).
Hearing that Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zacchaeus, being of short stature (Luke 19:3), climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Him (Luke 19:4). This act, perhaps undignified for a man of his social standing, reveals his deep desire to see Jesus. Jesus, knowing Zacchaeus' heart, called him by name and declared, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house" (Luke 19:5). This wasn't merely an invitation; it was a divine appointment.
Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus into his home (Luke 19:6). However, the crowd murmured, scandalized that Jesus would associate with such a "sinful man" (Luke 19:7). But Jesus' mission was precisely to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus resulted in genuine repentance. He vowed to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay fourfold anyone he had defrauded (Luke 19:8). This wasn't just saying "I'm sorry;" it was making restitution for his wrongdoings. Jesus then proclaimed, "Today salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19:9). Zacchaeus' transformation was evident, demonstrating that true salvation brings about a change in behavior and a desire to make things right. His outward actions were a testament to an inward transformation.
The Parable of the Ten Minas: Faithful Stewardship (Luke 19:11-27)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, His followers anticipated the immediate arrival of the Kingdom of God (Luke 19:11). To correct this misconception, Jesus told the parable of the ten minas.
A nobleman was going to a distant country to receive royal authority (Luke 19:12). Before leaving, he entrusted ten minas (a significant sum, roughly equivalent to a hundred days' wages) to ten of his servants, instructing them to "engage in business until I come" (Luke 19:13). However, the nobleman's subjects hated him and sent a delegation to declare, "We do not want this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). This reflects the rejection of Jesus by many who did not want Him as their King.
Upon his return, the nobleman summoned his servants to give an account of their stewardship (Luke 19:15). The first servant had diligently used his mina and earned ten more, earning him authority over ten cities as a reward (Luke 19:16-17). The second servant earned five minas and was rewarded with authority over five cities (Luke 19:18-19).
The third servant, however, had hidden his mina, fearing his master and accusing him of being a harsh man (Luke 19:20-21). The master rebuked him for his lack of initiative, pointing out that he could have at least deposited the money in the bank to earn interest (Luke 19:22-23). The mina was then taken from him and given to the servant who had earned ten more (Luke 19:24).
The master declared, "To everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away" (Luke 19:26). This parable highlights the importance of faithful stewardship. Everything we have – our talents, resources, time, and spiritual gifts – are gifts from God, and we are accountable for how we use them. God expects His followers to manage what He gives them until He returns. Faithfulness results in kingdom reward, while unfaithfulness results in lack and loss of reward. Those who reject the King and his kingdom will face eternal judgment (Luke 19:27).
The Triumphal Entry: A King Presented (Luke 19:28-40)
As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He sent two disciples ahead to find a colt that had never been ridden (Luke 19:29-30). They were instructed to say, "The Lord needs it" (Luke 19:31). This demonstrated Jesus' omniscience and authority. The fact that a colt that had never been ridden would accept a rider easily showed Jesus to be the Master over creation.
The disciples found the colt as Jesus had said and brought it to Him (Luke 19:32-35). They threw their cloaks on the colt, and Jesus sat on it and rode toward Jerusalem. This action fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, publicly presenting Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 21:4-5). He came not on a warhorse as an emerging military king but as a humble servant of peace, represented by the colt.
As Jesus rode, the people spread their cloaks on the road (Luke 19:36) and praised God joyfully, shouting, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:37-38), quoting from Psalm 118. The crowd openly acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, and he received their praise.
The Pharisees, however, were indignant and demanded that Jesus rebuke His disciples (Luke 19:39). Jesus responded, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out" (Luke 19:40). God's long-awaited Messiah had finally come, and he deserved all honor and glory. If the Jewish leadership and the nation refused to accept him (see Matthew 23:37), God would bring to life those who had died (indicated by the visible gravestones that surrounded the Mount of Olives) to bear testimony to Jesus (19:37-40).
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem: Lament for Rejection (Luke 19:41-44)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it (Luke 19:41). He lamented that if the people had recognized "the things that make for peace," they could have avoided the coming destruction (Luke 19:42). But because they rejected Him, their Messiah, God would hand the city over to judgment.
Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem's enemies would surround it, destroy it, and not leave one stone upon another (Luke 19:43-44). This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Romans decimated the city. Jerusalem failed to recognize her Messiah, even when he was in her midst.
Cleansing the Temple: Zeal for God's House (Luke 19:45-46)
Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple and drove out those who were selling (Luke 19:45). He condemned them for turning God's house of prayer into a "den of robbers" (Luke 19:46). Business activities were taking place inside, hindering worship and taking advantage of the people. Communicating with God had been replaced by religious activity for profit. The absence of the priority of prayer in the church is a significant indication that it has abandoned its primary calling.
Opposition and Teaching: Seeds of Conflict (Luke 19:47-48)
After cleansing the temple, Jesus taught the people daily in the temple (Luke 19:47). This provoked even greater opposition from the chief priests, the scribes, and the principal men of the people, who sought to destroy Him (Luke 19:47). However, they were unable to do anything because the people were captivated by Him and constantly surrounded Him (Luke 19:48). Ultimately, Jesus’s enemies would resort to using a traitor and the cover of darkness to accomplish their wicked plans (22:47-48, 52-53).
Luke 19 sets the stage for the final events of Jesus' earthly ministry. It demonstrates the power of grace to transform lives, the importance of faithful stewardship, the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah King, the tragedy of rejection, and the zeal for God's house. This chapter invites us to examine our own hearts and consider how we are responding to Jesus' call to follow Him and embrace His Kingdom.
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; 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.
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
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,
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.
And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
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;
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
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.
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,
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.
And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Luke 19 marks a pivotal transition in Jesus' ministry, bridging His journey towards Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:27) and His final week in the city. This chapter showcases encounters with individuals, pronouncements of parables, and climaxes with Jesus' triumphal entry, offering profound insights into the nature of salvation, stewardship, and the Kingdom of God. This chapter is crucial for understanding the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the events leading to His crucifixion and resurrection.
Zacchaeus: Salvation Comes to a Sinner (Luke 19:1-10)
The story of Zacchaeus is a powerful illustration of God's grace reaching the marginalized. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was a wealthy man despised by his fellow Jews for his collaboration with the Roman authorities. Tax collectors were seen as traitors who often extorted money for personal gain, placing them in the same category as "sinners" and prostitutes (Matthew 11:19, 21:31; Luke 15:1).
Hearing that Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zacchaeus, being of short stature (Luke 19:3), climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Him (Luke 19:4). This act, perhaps undignified for a man of his social standing, reveals his deep desire to see Jesus. Jesus, knowing Zacchaeus' heart, called him by name and declared, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house" (Luke 19:5). This wasn't merely an invitation; it was a divine appointment.
Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus into his home (Luke 19:6). However, the crowd murmured, scandalized that Jesus would associate with such a "sinful man" (Luke 19:7). But Jesus' mission was precisely to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus resulted in genuine repentance. He vowed to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay fourfold anyone he had defrauded (Luke 19:8). This wasn't just saying "I'm sorry;" it was making restitution for his wrongdoings. Jesus then proclaimed, "Today salvation has come to this house" (Luke 19:9). Zacchaeus' transformation was evident, demonstrating that true salvation brings about a change in behavior and a desire to make things right. His outward actions were a testament to an inward transformation.
The Parable of the Ten Minas: Faithful Stewardship (Luke 19:11-27)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem, His followers anticipated the immediate arrival of the Kingdom of God (Luke 19:11). To correct this misconception, Jesus told the parable of the ten minas.
A nobleman was going to a distant country to receive royal authority (Luke 19:12). Before leaving, he entrusted ten minas (a significant sum, roughly equivalent to a hundred days' wages) to ten of his servants, instructing them to "engage in business until I come" (Luke 19:13). However, the nobleman's subjects hated him and sent a delegation to declare, "We do not want this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). This reflects the rejection of Jesus by many who did not want Him as their King.
Upon his return, the nobleman summoned his servants to give an account of their stewardship (Luke 19:15). The first servant had diligently used his mina and earned ten more, earning him authority over ten cities as a reward (Luke 19:16-17). The second servant earned five minas and was rewarded with authority over five cities (Luke 19:18-19).
The third servant, however, had hidden his mina, fearing his master and accusing him of being a harsh man (Luke 19:20-21). The master rebuked him for his lack of initiative, pointing out that he could have at least deposited the money in the bank to earn interest (Luke 19:22-23). The mina was then taken from him and given to the servant who had earned ten more (Luke 19:24).
The master declared, "To everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away" (Luke 19:26). This parable highlights the importance of faithful stewardship. Everything we have – our talents, resources, time, and spiritual gifts – are gifts from God, and we are accountable for how we use them. God expects His followers to manage what He gives them until He returns. Faithfulness results in kingdom reward, while unfaithfulness results in lack and loss of reward. Those who reject the King and his kingdom will face eternal judgment (Luke 19:27).
The Triumphal Entry: A King Presented (Luke 19:28-40)
As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He sent two disciples ahead to find a colt that had never been ridden (Luke 19:29-30). They were instructed to say, "The Lord needs it" (Luke 19:31). This demonstrated Jesus' omniscience and authority. The fact that a colt that had never been ridden would accept a rider easily showed Jesus to be the Master over creation.
The disciples found the colt as Jesus had said and brought it to Him (Luke 19:32-35). They threw their cloaks on the colt, and Jesus sat on it and rode toward Jerusalem. This action fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, publicly presenting Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 21:4-5). He came not on a warhorse as an emerging military king but as a humble servant of peace, represented by the colt.
As Jesus rode, the people spread their cloaks on the road (Luke 19:36) and praised God joyfully, shouting, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:37-38), quoting from Psalm 118. The crowd openly acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, and he received their praise.
The Pharisees, however, were indignant and demanded that Jesus rebuke His disciples (Luke 19:39). Jesus responded, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out" (Luke 19:40). God's long-awaited Messiah had finally come, and he deserved all honor and glory. If the Jewish leadership and the nation refused to accept him (see Matthew 23:37), God would bring to life those who had died (indicated by the visible gravestones that surrounded the Mount of Olives) to bear testimony to Jesus (19:37-40).
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem: Lament for Rejection (Luke 19:41-44)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it (Luke 19:41). He lamented that if the people had recognized "the things that make for peace," they could have avoided the coming destruction (Luke 19:42). But because they rejected Him, their Messiah, God would hand the city over to judgment.
Jesus prophesied that Jerusalem's enemies would surround it, destroy it, and not leave one stone upon another (Luke 19:43-44). This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Romans decimated the city. Jerusalem failed to recognize her Messiah, even when he was in her midst.
Cleansing the Temple: Zeal for God's House (Luke 19:45-46)
Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple and drove out those who were selling (Luke 19:45). He condemned them for turning God's house of prayer into a "den of robbers" (Luke 19:46). Business activities were taking place inside, hindering worship and taking advantage of the people. Communicating with God had been replaced by religious activity for profit. The absence of the priority of prayer in the church is a significant indication that it has abandoned its primary calling.
Opposition and Teaching: Seeds of Conflict (Luke 19:47-48)
After cleansing the temple, Jesus taught the people daily in the temple (Luke 19:47). This provoked even greater opposition from the chief priests, the scribes, and the principal men of the people, who sought to destroy Him (Luke 19:47). However, they were unable to do anything because the people were captivated by Him and constantly surrounded Him (Luke 19:48). Ultimately, Jesus’s enemies would resort to using a traitor and the cover of darkness to accomplish their wicked plans (22:47-48, 52-53).
Luke 19 sets the stage for the final events of Jesus' earthly ministry. It demonstrates the power of grace to transform lives, the importance of faithful stewardship, the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah King, the tragedy of rejection, and the zeal for God's house. This chapter invites us to examine our own hearts and consider how we are responding to Jesus' call to follow Him and embrace His Kingdom.