Commentary - Luke 19

1

- Jericho of this period was significantly different to the OT Jericho. It boasts a tropical climate excellent access to water.

- Joshua previously cursed Hiel of Bethel, who rebuilt Jericho. (Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34)

2

- "Chief tax collector" is used only here in the NT.

- Jericho was a major toll collection point.

- Zacchaeus was Jewish.

5

- "Zacchaeus…I must stay at your house today" signifies divine necessity of Jesus bringing salvation to Zacchaeus' house.

- Christ had probably never seen Zacchaeus in the flesh nor heard of him. (John 10:3)

- Zacchaeus was an unexpected convert considering:

- He was from Jericho, a city that had been cursed.

- He was a cheating tax collector.

- Those whom Christ calls must humble themselves and come down.

8

- Numbers 5:7

9

-"Son of Abraham" refers not to Zacchaeus just being a physical descendant of Abraham but now also a spiritual descendant. (Galatians 3:7)

10

- What encouragement is there in this narrative to hope for unexpected conversions.

11

- Jesus gave the parable in response to those who supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately with Jesus coming.

- This parable differs from the parable of the talents in that the former illustrates different degrees of improvements of the same opportunities and the latter illustrates equal fidelity with different degrees of advantage.

12

- The "far country" is the world.

- "To return" at His second coming.

14

- "His citizens" refers to the Jews.

- John 1:11

15

- This parable does not support the prosperity gospel. The servants receive their rewards, AFTER the nobleman returns, not before.

17

- This parable teaches degrees of reward and responsibility in heaven.

20

- Those who do not utilise the resources, talents and opportunities that God gives them fall under his displeasure and may thereby indicate that they are not even true believers (cf. Matt. 25:30)

21

- Luke 19:17, 19 show Christ to be abundantly generous and gracious, so the third servant clearly does not know or understand his master.

26

- The person who welcomes Gods rule and presence will be given more of God's intended fruit; the one who depends on his own resources without receiving the word will lose even that.

29

- Fulfilled prophecy. (Zechariah 14:4)

34

- Fulfillment of prophesy about the Messiah in Zech. 9:9

38

- The great honour paid to Christ by multitudes makes the ignominy of His death to appear the greater. Christ clearly could have influenced the crowd so as to avoid rejection and crucifixion but He was set on fulfilling His divine purpose.

40

- Habakkuk 2:11

- Christ can elicit praise even from hearts of stone.

41

- Lamentations 3:51

42

- Hebrews 7:2

43

- These trenches and encompassing were indeed established by Titus, the Roman general.

46

- Jeremiah 7:11

Conclusion

The Lord Jesus came from heaven to make possible the bringing of those that are lost to God. Having made this provision, He has gone into a far country to receive for Himself a Kingdom and return in great power. He has endued his followers with advantages and capacities of serving the interests of His church until He returns to receive it, when all shall render account to Him and receive their reward accordingly.