Zacchaeus
Pronounced zak-EE-us
- Meaning
- "Pure; Innocent; Clean"
- Origin
- Hebrew
Zacchaeus means "pure" or "innocent" in Hebrew — ironic for a chief tax collector who had grown wealthy through exploitation. His encounter with Jesus in Jericho is one of the most beloved conversion stories in the Gospels. Being short in stature, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus passing through. Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." The crowd grumbled that Jesus would visit a sinner's house. But Zacchaeus' response proved the genuineness of his transformation: "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." Jesus declared, "This day is salvation come to this house." His story shows that no one is too far gone for Christ's saving grace.
Spiritual meaning
Zacchaeus' name — 'pure' — became true through his encounter with Jesus. His radical generosity after conversion shows that genuine salvation transforms not just our hearts but our wallets and our relationships.
Related verses (KJV)
"And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."
Luke 19:5 (KJV) →"And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house."
Luke 19:9 (KJV) →