Zaccheus (2)

2. ZACCHEUS, Chief of the Publicans; that is, Farmer-general of the Revenues. When Jesus Christ pass’d thro’ Jericho¹, Zaccheus had a great desire to see him, but could not because of the Multitude, and because he was low of Stature. He therefore ran before, and climb’d up into a Sycamore-tree, that he might see him as he pass’d by. When Jesus came to that Place, he lifted up his Eyes, and said to him, Zaccheus, make haste and come down, for to day I must abide at thy house. Zaccheus immediately came down, and receiv’d him with much Joy. But those that saw, murmur’d, and said within themselves, that he was gone to be a guest with a man that is a sinner. In the mean time Zaccheus said to Jesus, 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 four-fold. For the Roman² Laws con-

3 demn’d Publicans, when convicted of Extortion, to make Restitution to four times the Value.

Upon which Jesus Christ said to him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is the son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And this is all that the Scripture informs us of Zaccheus the Publican. Some³ have thought, that he was a Gentile before his Conversion; but the Opinion of Commentators is, that he was a Jew. There were many of this Nation that exercis’d the Employment of a Publican. Clemens Alexandrinus says⁴, many did not distinguish Zaccheus from St. Matthew, pretending he was advanced to the Apostleship after the Death of Judas. Others⁵ have affirm’d, that St. Peter ordain’d him Bishop of Cæsarea in Palestine. But it is probable they confounded him with another Zaccheus Bishop of this Church, who lived in the second Century⁶.

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