He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd because he was small in stature.He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short.And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the crowd, because he was little of stature.
3 sermons cite this verse
Luke is trying to show us off the heels of the rich young ruler in Luke chapter 18. He's going to show you and I the impossible made possible in the very next chapter. Luke chapter 19 verses 1 through 10 says this. Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and he was wealthy. So let's take note. He was wealthy and corrupt. And remember last week, it's impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Verse number three, he wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. I found out my research this week that in the Middle East, the average height of a male was 5'5". So he was probably under five feet tall. And I just can't help but think, man, I was born at the wrong time. I would have been a giant back then. That would have been great. …
… He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. Zacchaeus was trying to see who Jesus was and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see him, for he was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house. And he hurried and came down and received him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner. Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much. And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. …
… And he was a chief tax gatherer, and he was rich. And he was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. And he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see him, for he was about to pass through that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house. And he heard and came down and received him gladly. And when they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, He is going to be the guest of a man who is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much. And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house because he too is the son of Abraham. …