191 And having entered, he was passing through Jericho, 2 and lo, a man, by name called Zaccheus, and he was a chief tax-gatherer, and he was rich, 3 and he was seeking to see Jesus, who he is, and was not able for the multitude, because in stature he was small, 4 and having run forward before, he went up on a sycamore, that he may see him, because through that 'way' he was about to pass by. 5 And as Jesus came up to the place, having looked up, he saw him, and said unto him, 'Zaccheus, having hastened, come down, for to-day in thy house it behoveth me to remain;' 6 and he having hastened did come down, and did receive him rejoicing; 7 and having seen 'it', they were all murmuring, saying—'With a sinful man he went in to lodge!' 8 And Zaccheus having stood, said unto the Lord, 'Lo, the half of my goods, sir, I give to the poor, and if of any one anything I did take by false accusation, I give back fourfold.' 9 And Jesus said unto him—'To-day salvation did come to this house, inasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'
11 And while they are hearing these things, having added he spake a simile, because of his being nigh to Jerusalem, and of their thinking that the reign of God is about presently to be made manifest. 12 He said therefore, 'A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a kingdom, and to return, 13 and having called ten servants of his own, he gave to them ten pounds, and said unto them, Do business—till I come; 14 and his citizens were hating him, and did send an embassy after him, saying, We do not wish this one to reign over us. 15 'And it came to pass, on his coming back, having taken the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he gave the money, that he might know what any one had done in business. 16 'And the first came near, saying, Sir, thy pound did gain ten pounds; 17 and he said to him, Well done, good servant, because in a very little thou didst become faithful, be having authority over ten cities. 18 'And the second came, saying, Sir, thy pound made five pounds; 19 and he said also to this one, And thou, become thou over five cities. 20 'And another came, saying, Sir, lo, thy pound, that I had lying away in a napkin; 21 for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. 22 'And he saith to him, Out of thy mouth I will judge thee, evil servant: thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow! 23 and wherefore didst thou not give my money to the bank, and I, having come, with interest might have received it? 24 'And to those standing by he said, Take from him the pound, and give to him having the ten pounds— 25 (and they said to him, Sir, he hath ten pounds)— 26 for I say to you, that to every one having shall be given, and from him not having, also what he hath shall be taken from him, 27 but those my enemies, who did not wish me to reign over them, bring hither and slay before me.'
28 And having said these things, he went on before, going up to Jerusalem.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 19:1-28
Commentary on Luke 19:1-10
(Read Luke 19:1-10)
Those who sincerely desire a sight of Christ, like Zaccheus, will break through opposition, and take pains to see him. Christ invited himself to Zaccheus' house. Wherever Christ comes he opens the heart, and inclines it to receive him. He that has a mind to know Christ, shall be known of him. Those whom Christ calls, must humble themselves, and come down. We may well receive him joyfully, who brings all good with him. Zaccheus gave proofs publicly that he was become a true convert. He does not look to be justified by his works, as the Pharisee; but by his good works he will, through the grace of God, show the sincerity of his faith and repentance. Zaccheus is declared to be a happy man, now he is turned from sin to God. Now that he is saved from his sins, from the guilt of them, from the power of them, all the benefits of salvation are his. Christ is come to his house, and where Christ comes he brings salvation with him. He came into this lost world to seek and to save it. His design was to save, when there was no salvation in any other. He seeks those that sought him not, and asked not for him.
Commentary on Luke 19:11-27
(Read Luke 19:11-27)
This parable is like that of the talents, 1 Peter 4:10. The account required, resembles that in the parable of the talents; and the punishment of the avowed enemies of Christ, as well as of false professors, is shown. The principal difference is, that the pound given to each seems to point out the gift of the gospel, which is the same to all who hear it; but the talents, distributed more or less, seem to mean that God gives different capacities and advantages to men, by which this one gift of the gospel may be differently improved.
Commentary on Luke 19:28-40
(Read Luke 19:28-40)
Christ has dominion over all creatures, and may use them as he pleases. He has all men's hearts both under his eye and in his hand. Christ's triumphs, and his disciples' joyful praises, vex proud Pharisees, who are enemies to him and to his kingdom. But Christ, as he despises the contempt of the proud, so he accepts the praises of the humble. Pharisees would silence the praises of Christ, but they cannot; for as God can out of stones raise up children unto Abraham, and turn the stony heart to himself, so he can bring praise out of the mouths of children. And what will be the feelings of men when the Lord returns in glory to judge the world!