Luke 19:6
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 7
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σπεύσας
he made haste
G4692
σπεύσας
he made haste
Strong's:
G4692
Word #:
2 of 7
to "speed" ("study"), i.e., urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication, to await eagerly
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 7
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπεδέξατο
received
G5264
ὑπεδέξατο
received
Strong's:
G5264
Word #:
5 of 7
to admit under one's roof, i.e., entertain hospitably
Cross References
Luke 5:29And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.Acts 16:34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.Isaiah 64:5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.Acts 16:15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Historical Context
To receive someone as a guest (hupedexato) implied providing hospitality—a meal, lodging, and honor. In first-century Jewish culture, table fellowship signified acceptance and shared life. For Jesus to enter Zacchaeus's house was scandalous (as v. 7 shows), but for Zacchaeus, it meant the unthinkable: a righteous rabbi treating him as worthy of fellowship. This public acceptance by Jesus reversed years of social ostracism and religious condemnation. No wonder Zacchaeus received him joyfully—grace is most precious to those who know they deserve judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Zacchaeus's immediate, joyful response reveal about genuine conversion versus religious formalism?
- How does his joy parallel the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10)?
- Why is joy such a consistent mark of encountering Christ in Luke's Gospel?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. Three rapid verbs capture Zacchaeus's response: speusas (σπεύσας, "made haste"), katebē (κατέβη, "came down"), and hupedexato (ὑπεδέξατο, "received"). The aorist tense indicates immediate, decisive action. The word speusas suggests eager urgency—no hesitation, no calculating whether Jesus's offer might be a trap or social embarrassment. He descended from the tree and welcomed Jesus into his home without delay.
The crowning detail is chairōn (χαίρων, "joyfully")—literally "rejoicing." This present participle describes ongoing, exuberant joy. Zacchaeus didn't receive Jesus grudgingly or cautiously but with overflowing gladness. This joy echoes the shepherd's joy over the recovered sheep (Luke 15:5), the woman's joy over the found coin (Luke 15:9), and the father's joy over the returned son (Luke 15:32). Genuine encounter with Christ produces transforming joy, not mere religious duty or social propriety. Zacchaeus's joy anticipates his radical life-change (v. 8).