Bible Stories for Adults

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Next Week - Jesus Heals a Man Who Is Blind (Mark 10:46-52)
Bible Words to Remember:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Where did Jesus go after He first left Galilee and with whom?
Matthew 3:13, 4:1
Where did Jesus go after He last left Galilee and with whom?
Matthew 19:1-2

What was one reason that Jesus went away from the main cities at the end of His ministry?
John 11:47-48, 53-54
Did the large crowd remain with Jesus the whole time He was in Ephraim?
John 11:55-57
When Jesus finally left for Jerusalem, did He first calm the fears of His disciples?
Luke 18:31-34

Who did Jesus meet on His way to Jerusalem?
Luke 18:35, 42-43
Did it appear that Jesus intended to stay in Jericho?
Luke 19:1-2a
Had He actually planned to stay or pass through?
Luke 19:5
Would Jesus really have intended to pass through Jericho?
Luke 10:30

Are there other examples where Jesus looked like He would pass by where He was needed?
Mark 6:48
Luke 24:13, 28
How could Jesus just pass by someone who needs Him?
John 10:25-27

Jericho controlled the strategic ford of the Jordan to the ancient Eastern trade routes
Key roads from Jericho
On main road for Jews traveling to & from Galilee (bypass around Samaria)
Strong customs and excise collection in this trade center
Who was in charge of the powerful tax office in Jericho?
Luke 19:2
As such a wealthy man, how respected would Zacchaeus have been?
Matthew 18:17
Matthew 5:44, 46

How well did Zacchaeus know Jesus?
Luke 19:3
What problems did Zacchaeus have to be able to see Jesus?
Luke 19:3
Leviticus 22:3
How earnestly did Zacchaeus want to see Jesus?
Luke 19:4
Sycamore-fig
What promise had God made that fit Zacchaeus' situation?
Deuteronomy 4:29

Was Zacchaeus able to see this Jesus like he so eagerly wanted?
Luke 19:5
Isn't it amazing that Jesus called Zacchaeus by name?
John 10:2-3, 14

Was Jesus' call to Zacchaeus just for him or also for us?
Revelation 3:20
What does Jesus' call of Zacchaeus tell us about His call to us?
Gracious
Personal
Urgent
Humbling
Affectionate
Assuring
Effective

How did Zacchaeus respond to Jesus' call?
Luke 19:6
Did Jesus expect this kind of welcome?
John 10:4

Did Jesus' call really change Zacchaeus' life?
Luke 19:8
What example of giving to the poor had been commanded on Mount Sinai?
Exodus 23:10-11
What was the command for making restitution for wrongs against another?
Numbers 5:6-7
What class of crime did Zacchaeus accept by paying back four times?
Exodus 22:1

How did Jesus respond to Zacchaeus' comment?
Luke 19:9
Was Zacchaeus saved because he gave to the poor and made amends for his cheating?
Luke 18:18-22
Why was Zacchaeus saved?
Luke 7:48, 50
Why did Jesus say Zacchaeus was saved because he was a son of Abraham?
Galatians 3:29

Known as the oldest walled town in the world
Walls built by 8000 BC
Where were the Israelites when their wanderings officially ended and their calling began?
Joshua 5:10-12
Where did the Israelites first receive part of the Promised Land after crossing the Jordan?
Joshua 6:1-2, 20-21
Note: Archaeologists in 1930s found double walls (12 & 6 ft thick) violently destroyed
Layers of ash & volumes of charred grain confirm destruction recorded in Joshua

What caused the walls of Jericho to tumble down?
Hebrews 11:30
What caused the walls of Zacchaeus' sinfulness & greed to tumble down?
Luke 19:8-9

Zacchaeus is Greek form of Hebrew word for pure
How pure was Zacchaeus in the eyes of those who felt they knew about righteousness?
Luke 18:11
How did the people of Jericho feel about Jesus' outreach to Zacchaeus?
Luke 19:7
How does Zacchaeus' name become fitting when he is chosen by Jesus?
Ephesians 1:4-7

Shouldn't Jesus have gone to stay with a church leader or scholar instead of a chief sinner?
Luke 19:10
What kinds of people does God count as lost sinners?
Psalm 14:2-3

Were there other examples where Jesus sought out sinners as great as tax collectors?
Luke 5:27-28
How did the church leaders and scholars respond to Jesus' fellowship with this sinner?
Luke 5:29-30
How did Jesus respond to their complaints?
Luke 5:31-32

How long had Jesus' mission to save lost sinners been revealed?
Matthew 1:21

What parable did Jesus tell to explain why He was called to seek the sinners?
Luke 14:16-17
How did the chosen reply to the invitation?
Luke 14:18-20
What did the host do to fill his banquet hall?
Luke 14:21-24

What other parables did Jesus speak to point out His calling to save the lost?
Luke 15:3-7
Luke 15:8-10
Luke 15:11-32