"The chief among the publicans," Zacchaeus, was a Jew, and detested by his countrymen. His rank and wealth were the reward of a calling 553 they abhorred, and which was regarded as another name for injustice and extortion. Yet the wealthy customs officer was not altogether the hardened man of the world that he seemed. Beneath the appearance of worldliness and pride was a heart susceptible to divine influences. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus. The report of One who had borne Himself with kindness and courtesy toward the proscribed classes had spread far and wide. In this chief of the publicans was awakened a longing for a better life. Only a few miles from Jericho, John the Baptist had preached at the Jordan, and Zacchaeus had heard of the call to repentance. The instruction to the publicans, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you" (Luke 3:13), though outwardly disregarded, had impressed his mind. He knew the Scriptures, and was convicted that his practice was wrong. Now, hearing the words reported to have come from the Great Teacher, he felt that he was a sinner in the sight of God. Yet what he had heard of Jesus kindled hope in his heart. Repentance, reformation of life, was possible, even to him; was not one of the new Teacher's most trusted disciples a publican? Zacchaeus began at once to follow the conviction that had taken hold upon him, and to make restitution to those whom he had wronged.

Overtolderen Zakæus var jøde og forhadt af sine landsmænd. Hans rang og hans rigdom var lønnen for en stilling, som de afskyede, og som blev betragtet som en anden benævnelse for uretfærdighed og pengeafpresning. Men alligevel var den rige overtolder ikke et så forhærdet verdensmenneske, som det så ud til. Bag den tilsyneladende verdslighed og stolthed var der et hjerte, som var modtageligt for guddommelig påvirkning. Zakæus havde hørt om Jesus. Rygtet om ham, der havde udvist venlighed og høflighed mod de foragtede samfundsklasser, var nået vidt og bredt omkring. I denne overtolder var der vågnet en længsel efter at leve et bedre liv. Kun nogle kilometer fra Jeriko havde Johannes Døber prædiket ved Jordan, og Zakæus havde hørt om kaldet til omvendelse. Det, der var sagt til tolderne: "Opkræv ikke mere, end der er foreskrevet jer!" (Luk. 3,13), havde gjort indtryk på ham, skønt han i det ydre ikke rettede sig efter det. Han kendte Skrifterne og følte sig overbevist om, at han bar sig forkert ad. Nu, hvor han hørte, at ordene stammede fra den store lærer, følte han sig som en synder i Guds øjne. Dog tændtes der er et håb i hans sjæl efter alt, hvad han havde hørt om Jesus. Omvendelse og et bedre liv var måske muligt selv for ham. Var ikke en af denne nye lærers mest betroede disciple en tolder? Zakæus gav sig straks til at følge den overbevisning, der havde grebet ham, og at yde erstatning til dem, han havde gjort uret.