Luke 19:2
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
So, who was this man Zacchaus, really? Was he the wee little, warm fuzzy fellow we saw from the children’s song in the previous post? Well, it seems fairly certain that that depiction does not really capture the essence of just who Zacchaeus really was. Not only that, but understanding some about who he was, and what his nature likely was, does a great deal to help us understand what was really happening in this passage.
To help us understand a bit about Zacchaeus, it helps to understand a some about exactly how he earned his living. Zacchaeus was a publican. As I try to describe this, I am piecing it together from various things I read, so I may not get all the particulars exactly correct, but the point will be made.
The Romans were quite efficient in their rule of the areas which they had conquered an place under their rule; one way they often did this was to utilize the indigenous peoples of an are to basically rule and administrate on behalf of them, under their authority of course. In this case, Publicans would have been Jews appointed by the Roman to fulfill certain roles. Often Publicans would oversee certain types of public works projects, such as various infrastructure projects. One very important role, especially in the days of Jesus, was the role of tax collector for the Roman Empire.
Tax collection then was different than what we think of now. The Romans didn’t establish tax levies and then wait expectantly for those who owed to file tax returns. What we see is what I have seen referred to as “tax farming.” The Romans would establish a certain level of income they expected from a particular area, and solicit bids from certain men, those interested in being tax collectors. Upon acceptance of a bid, the bidder would prepay the agreed upon income to the Romans, and then the “fun” would begin.
If any collector retained failed to collect his already paid levy to the government, he went broke. If he only collected what was required, he simply broke even. I hope we can see here, how this all shapes up now. The Romans did not care how much a publican collected from the ones who paid; they only cared about their predetermined levy. How did publicans make money? Obviously by collecting above and beyond the required levy. Zacchaeus would have been no more then the Jewish Mafia of the day. Protection rackets are NOT a recent development!
Maybe I read too much into the nature of this man, but I really don’t think so. I think understanding just who he was will help us to better understand later events as we move through this passage.
So, who was he? Zacchaeus was likely are hard, tough, ruthless man with no qualms concerning what he had to do or say to accomplish his goals. He must have been very good at what he did, as he was the “chief.” He certainly did not rise to the top of the particular heap by being a nice guy. Publicans in general were hated by fellow Jews, as they were considered traitorous lackeys of the Romans, on an equal level with prostitutes. It seem likely Zacchaeus didn’t care even a little about all of that.
So, rather than a happy, wee little fellow, what me most likely see here is a man who was selfish, greedy, ruthless, and only out for himself.
Why does this matter? Stay tune to find out!
February 15, 2017 at 08:16
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
LikeLike
February 15, 2017 at 08:28
Thanks brother Vincent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 08:56
You’re very welcome Brother Wally 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 08:35
Very well stated. J.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 08:38
Thanks J., your encouragement is always appreciated.
LikeLike
February 15, 2017 at 08:53
It is possible Zaccheus did not see himself clearly until Jesus came and taught him. Whatever Jesus discussed with Zaccheus certainly had impact though!
(By the way, does your auto-correct drive you crazy when you write about Mr. Z? My stinking auto correct keeps changing his name to Bacchus!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 09:10
Yeah LOL…it has on my phone. On the laptop no.
Yes…conviction. We don’t see ourselves clearly until The Holy Spirit shows us what we really are. Great point, there, thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 11:50
Why is auto correct always incorrect??? lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 15, 2017 at 12:24
Good question
LikeLike
February 15, 2017 at 10:59
Wally, thanks for motivating me to google “ancient tax collector.” I see the Romans “farmed out” the taxation responsibility to the highest bidding “publicani” chief tax collectors (aka Godfather aka Don Samuel) who in turn hired out “publicanus,” the ones who actually collected the money. The publicanus probably also submitted bids to the publicani for the privilege. The publicanus undoubtedly then had to hire local “muscle” to collect from “uncooperative” residents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 11:05
Wasn’t it interesting to read how it all really worked? Nothing ever changes, really, does it Tom?
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 11:08
Right, every era has its own version of “The Godfather.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 11:49
You’re messing with my all time favorite childhood song, Wally, lol. Good post my friend! Waitin’ on the next one:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 12:25
I love to hear the kids sing it, Andy! They have such enthusiasm, don’t they? And, thanks.
LikeLike
February 15, 2017 at 12:35
Yes it is a fun song. I had forgotten about it. I’m gonna teach it to my granddaughter. I remember as a child high stepping and clawing at the air pretending to be climbing when we sang the part about him climbing the tree to see what he could see. lol. Thanks Wally! Good post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 13:33
I have a feeling that Ole Z was very familiar with knee caps and sledge hammers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 13:36
I suspect so. Which really adds a dimension to his story. NO ONE is beyond the reach of salvation…no one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 15:04
Really enjoying this series so far Wally
LikeLike
February 15, 2017 at 15:06
Thanks James, like anything, it’s been a great chance for me to learns stuff I had never known. It’s nice to have friends along for the ride!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 16:02
I can’t help but wonder if the detail that he was a “wee little man” is significant…as if it is part of his identity or something? Little Man Syndrome? lol Just a guess!
Any thoughts?
LikeLike
February 15, 2017 at 16:17
Well..how funny. Somebody else said something just like that. I may not have had thoughts before, but I am sure getting some. I wonder…..Salvageable said it I think…”Little Caesar,” is what he said I think.
This is very exciting! I love it when readers make me think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 17:19
“Little Caesar” yes! That accurately describes the sense I get from the text.
It is exciting! My spider-senses are tingling!
It’s just such an odd little detail to include. I’m trying to think of I can recall another time were given a physical description of the people Jesus interacts with. I’m coming up blank. So that makes me wonder if it has significance.
“Small of stature” – it makes me wonder if this refers to not only his physical stature, but also his stature of ill repute within his community?
LikeLike
February 15, 2017 at 16:21
It was my friend Tom. Here is what he said.
“Wally, it’s amazing that wee Zacchaeus didn’t develop a “Little Caesar” complex. Hmmm. Or did he?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2017 at 17:20
Ahhh! See? I’m not the only one whose spider-senses are tingling!
LikeLike
February 16, 2017 at 19:41
I thought you did a good job bringing the cultural context to bear in terms of filling in more who Zacchaeus was.
LikeLike
February 16, 2017 at 19:44
Thanks, brother
LikeLiked by 1 person