Luke 19:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
2 of 27
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἦλθεν
came
G2064
ἦλθεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
3 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόπον
the place
G5117
τόπον
the place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
6 of 27
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 27
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἶδεν
and saw
G1492
εἶδεν
and saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
10 of 27
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτόν,
him
G846
αὐτόν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
14 of 27
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτόν,
him
G846
αὐτόν,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
σπεύσας
make haste
G4692
σπεύσας
make haste
Strong's:
G4692
Word #:
17 of 27
to "speed" ("study"), i.e., urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication, to await eagerly
σήμερον
to day
G4594
σήμερον
to day
Strong's:
G4594
Word #:
19 of 27
on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἴκῳ
house
G3624
οἴκῳ
house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
23 of 27
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Revelation 3:20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.John 14:23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.Hebrews 13:2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.John 1:48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.Ephesians 3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Ezekiel 16:6And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Historical Context
That Jesus knew Zacchaeus' name without introduction demonstrates supernatural knowledge. That He invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house violated social norms—guests didn't invite themselves. That He chose a tax collector's house (ritually unclean, morally compromised) scandalized observers (v. 7). Yet Jesus' mission required going where sinners were, not waiting for them to become respectable first. The word 'must' indicates this visit was part of God's redemptive plan, not a random choice. God's sovereign election includes even despised tax collectors. Zacchaeus' curiosity and effort (climbing a tree) demonstrated seeking; Jesus' self-invitation demonstrated finding. Salvation involves both human seeking and divine finding, but divine initiative is primary.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus knowing Zacchaeus' name without introduction teach about God's personal knowledge of individuals?
- How does Jesus' self-invitation to Zacchaeus' house demonstrate grace's initiative?
- How should Jesus' willingness to dine with notorious sinners shape church outreach and hospitality?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus addresses Zacchaeus: '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.' Jesus takes initiative: He 'looked up' (ἀναβλέψας, anablepsas), 'saw him' (εἶδεν αὐτόν, eiden auton), and addressed him by name—'Zacchaeus' (Ζακχαῖε, Zakchaie). The command is urgent: 'make haste' (σπεύσας, speusas, hurry). The reason: 'to day I must abide at thy house' (σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι, sēmeron gar en tō oikō sou dei me meinai). The word 'must' (δεῖ, dei) indicates divine necessity. Jesus wasn't responding to Zacchaeus' invitation but declaring divine appointment. This demonstrates sovereign grace: Jesus seeks and saves the lost (v. 10), taking initiative where humans cannot.