He entered Jericho and was passing through.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that Jesus was "passing through" Jericho, suggesting His presence was temporary. This isn't just a geographical note; it highlights that Christ's journey is constantly moving, and He intercepts individuals like Zacchaeus even in brief, passing moments.
He entered Jericho and was passing through.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is passing through the prosperous city of Jericho on His final journey towards Jerusalem. As He enters the city, the crowd is dense, preventing many, including the short tax collector Zacchaeus, from getting a clear view of Jesus. This sets the stage for an unexpected encounter as Jesus specifically seeks out Zacchaeus, leading to a dramatic conversion that challenges the religious elite.
This wasn't just any town; Jericho was a bustling hub, a place of wealth and, for some, immense temptation. What does its setting tell us about Jesus' ministry?
Jericho was a significant city, strategically located on trade routes, particularly for valuable goods like balsam. This made it a center for customs collection, a lucrative but often corrupt business.
Zaccheus, a 'chief tax collector' and rich man, was widely hated. Yet, he desperately wanted to see Jesus. What drove this unlikely pursuit?
The title 'chief tax collector' points to Zaccheus's high rank and likely significant wealth, but also his deep unpopularity. Tax collectors were seen as collaborators with Roman oppressors and notorious for their greed.
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Jesus didn't wait for an invitation; He sought out Zaccheus. This encounter redefined 'son of Abraham' and brought salvation to an entire household.
Jesus's interaction with Zaccheus was intentionally disruptive to the social and religious norms of the day. His decision to lodge with Zaccheus, a man considered a sinner, was a radical act of grace.
Understand the original words
Ierichō · Greek Proper Noun
The Greek name for the town, representing a place of historical significance in Israel's conquest; it is known as the "City of Palms" and served as a major commercial center in the first century.
The specific historical setting of Jericho as a bustling, Roman-controlled tax hub explains why Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was a wealthy but despised figure, making his encounter with Jesus a striking demonstration of God's grace reaching into the most marginalized social and economic spheres.
c. 63 BC - 4 BC
Herodian Dynasty Rules Judea
Herod the Great and his successors controlled Judea, including Jericho, which they rebuilt and developed into an important administrative and agricultural center. This era provided the political and economic context for tax collection.
Early 1st century AD
Jericho as a Trade and Tax Hub
Jericho, situated on key trade routes and in a fertile plain known for valuable products like balsam, became a significant center for customs collection under Roman administration. This made the role of a chief tax collector, like Zacchaeus, both lucrative and notorious.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus embarked on His final journey to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. This journey involved passing through towns and villages, including Jericho, setting the stage for the encounter with Zacchaeus.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus Enters and Passes Through Jericho
Jesus arrived in Jericho and was in the process of moving through the city when the encounter with Zacchaeus occurred. This passage highlights the transient nature of Jesus' visit and the immediate opportunities for interaction.
c. AD 27-30
Zacchaeus Encounters Jesus
The chief tax collector Zacchaeus, motivated by a desire to see Jesus but hindered by his short stature and the crowd, climbed a sycamore tree. Jesus noticed him, called him by name, and invited Himself to Zacchaeus's house.
c. AD 27-30
Zacchaeus's Conversion and Restitution
Following Jesus' visit, Zacchaeus declared his repentance through radical generosity, vowing to give half his possessions to the poor and restore fourfold to anyone he had defrauded. Jesus proclaimed salvation had come to his household.
This passage parallels Jesus calling Matthew, a tax collector, showing Jesus' consistent outreach to those on the margins of society, which is also seen in His encounter with Zaccheus.
John 1:43-47Philip sought out Nathanael, saying 'Come and see.' This mirrors Zaccheus' initial desire to 'see Jesus,' highlighting the way Jesus draws people to Himself through personal invitation and encounter.
Luke 5:27-32Jesus states, 'I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' This foundational statement is powerfully illustrated by Jesus' interaction with Zaccheus, a notorious sinner, demonstrating His mission to seek and save the lost.
Isaiah 56:6-8This prophecy speaks of God welcoming foreigners and eunuchs who keep His covenant, emphasizing that salvation is for all who seek God. Zaccheus, as a despised tax collector, becoming a 'son of Abraham' through faith, fulfills this inclusive vision of God's kingdom.
calvinLuke 19:1-10: "And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho."
- And having entered, he passeth through Jericho. [674] 2. And, lo, a man named Zaccheus, and he was chief of the publicans, and was rich. 3. And he sought to see Jesus who he was, [675] and could not on account of the multitude; for he was of small stature. 4. And running before, he climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him; for he was to pass that way. 5. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said to hi…
clarkeLuke 19:1: "And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho."
Entered and passed through - Was passing through. Our Lord had not as yet passed through Jericho - he was only passing through it; for the house of Zaccheus, in which he was to lodge, Luke 19:5 , was in it.
The verse emphasizes that Jesus was "passing through" Jericho, suggesting His presence was temporary. This isn't just a geographical note; it highlights that Christ's journey is constantly moving, and He intercepts individuals like Zacchaeus even in brief, passing moments.
Jesus is passing through the prosperous city of Jericho on His final journey towards Jerusalem. As He enters the city, the crowd is dense, preventing many, including the short tax collector Zacchaeus, from getting a clear view of Jesus. This sets the stage for an unexpected encounter as Jesus specifically seeks out Zacchaeus, leading to a dramatic conversion that challenges the religious elite.
Jesus is passing through the prosperous city of Jericho on His final journey towards Jerusalem. As He enters the city, the crowd is dense, preventing many, including the short tax collector Zacchaeus, from getting a clear view of Jesus. This sets the stage for an unexpected encounter as Jesus specifically seeks out Zacchaeus, leading to a dramatic conversion that challenges the religious elite.
"He entered Jericho and was passing through." — The verse emphasizes that Jesus was "passing through" Jericho, suggesting His presence was temporary. This isn't just a geographical note; it highlights that Christ's journey is constantly moving, an…
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Last reviewed October 2026