Luke 19:3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐζήτει
he sought
G2212
ἐζήτει
he sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
2 of 18
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
ἰδεῖν
to see
G1492
ἰδεῖν
to see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 18
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
6 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
for
G575
ἀπὸ
for
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
11 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλου
the press
G3793
ὄχλου
the press
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
13 of 18
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Crowds following Jesus were common during His final journey to Jerusalem. As a notorious chief tax collector, Zacchaeus would have been recognized and scorned by the crowd. In honor-shame culture, the crowd's refusal to make way for him was a deliberate social snub—his wealth could not purchase respect. His willingness to endure this public humiliation to see Jesus demonstrates the depth of his spiritual hunger, breaking through the pride that typically accompanies wealth and power.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Zacchaeus's determination to see Jesus 'who he was' reveal about his spiritual condition?
- How do physical and social barriers test the genuineness of our desire to encounter Christ?
- In what ways might the crowd's indifference or hostility parallel obstacles believers face in pursuing Christ today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. The verb ezētei (ἐζήτει, "he was seeking") suggests determined, persistent effort. Zacchaeus wanted to see tis estin (τίς ἐστιν, "who he was")—not merely to glimpse Jesus physically but to understand his identity and character. This seeking echoes the rich young ruler's question "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18), but Zacchaeus's actions demonstrate humility the ruler lacked.
The obstacle was twofold: the crowd (tou ochlou, τοῦ ὄχλου, "the press") and his stature (tē hēlikia mikros ēn, τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν, "he was little of stature"). The word hēlikia (ἡλικία) can mean physical height or age; most interpreters favor height. Zacchaeus faced both physical and social barriers—too short to see over the crowd, too despised for anyone to make room for him. Yet his determination overcame both obstacles, illustrating that those who genuinely seek Christ will not be hindered by circumstantial barriers.