This passage occurs in the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C. Most recently on October 30, 2021.
Summary: As I write this post in 2022, this passage occurs on Reformation Sunday. Some may therefore preach on John 8. However, I think it is a great narrative to explain the propositions of John 8. What does freedom look like? It looks like giving up one's prestige and rank to serve the Lord! What does it mean to be a child of Abraham -- to belong to the household of God, in which...we serve the Lord! How does this happen? When Jesus comes into our house. It might take too much effort to have this story neatly fit into the proper grace-faith-salvation ordo salutis, but it definitely addresses some classical Reformation themes of vocation, salvation, faith and freedom.
Key Words:
αρχιτελωνης ("arch-tax-collector", 19.2) I saw this poetic quote about tax-collectors:
"The Tax Collectors in Israel at the time of Christ were the leaches that sucked the financial blood out of the hard working laborers of Israeli society and transferred it in to the coffer of the occupying Roman Empire, taking as much as they could for themselves." Ancient Tax Collector, Bible History, accessed 10/26/2022.
NT Wright offers a more complex, and perhaps more helpful take, arguing that they were socially isolated, not loved by the Romans and hated by the Jews. The point of this is to say that the tax collector looked free, but was very bound.
I also think it is interesting that one tax collector, Matthew, follows Jesus. Zacchaeus chooses to maintain his profession and continue to follow Jesus. This harkens back to Luke 3:13 and the words of John the Baptist to tax collectors. It turns out that what we do is less important that how we do it. Even "dirty" professions can be done with integrity and in service to the Lord. (That is a sermon for Reformation Sunday about vocation!!)
μικρος (small, 19.3) I found a really interesting article that focused on Zacchaeus' short stature as a reminder that God can love all physical types of people. It linked Zacchaeus' short stature to treatment of people who have disabilities. I discovered this article while trying to find evidence for something a professor told me once, that the Cappadocian fathers claimed that Luke meant that Jesus was short, not Zacchaeus!
καταβηθι (command form of καταβαινω, meaning "descend", 19.5) It turns out, we are not called to ascend to Jesus, but to come down, and live real life. Zacchaeus will meet Jesus on the road, in the home and in works of charity (and justice!)
μειναι (infinitive of "abide", 19.5) This is a key concept in John's Gospel, namely, Jesus dwelling with us. Jesus wants to abide with him; but what is worth pondering...when Zacchaeus serves his new Lord, Jesus, is Jesus still abiding with him? I would want to say yes.
ιδοντες/ιδου: I don't know what to make of it, but the word "to see" is found five times in these passages in various forms.
καταλυσαι (infinitive of καταλυω, meaning is complex, 19.7) This word means one thing in a transitive sense and a very different thing when used as an intransitive verb. Freiburg Dictionary puts it:
As a transitive verb it means to (1) transitively;
- (a) literally, of buildings with their stones destroy, demolish, dismantle
- (b) metaphorically, of the death of the body as a house or temple tear down, destroy (2C 5.1);
- (c) figuratively, of completely ruining someone's efforts destroy (RO 14.20);
- (d) figuratively, as invalidating an institution, such as law or sacrifice do away with, annul, abolish (MT 5.17);
Okay, so here is the deal. The word might mean simply to lodge somewhere. But it is a really cool notion that somehow Zacchaeus having Jesus over "unburdens" Jesus; Jesus will actually do the unburdening. This is akin to the use of ζητησαι in 19.1 and 19.10. It seems like Zacchaeus is seeking Jesus, but Jesus is the one seeking Zacchaeus.
σωτερια (salvation, 19.9) Brings up the granddaddy of them all question -- what is salvation? There is little that connects the works of Zacchaeus today with the afterlife. Rather, it is the true life, the free life of serving Jesus (that ultimately transcends death).
This is a crucial part of the interpretation of the story: What changes has Jesus made in his life? In what ways does Zacchaeus demonstrate faith? What does the grace look like? What does grace accomplish?
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