Zacchaeus bible study

Bible Study - Luke 19.1-10

The story of Zacchaeus is great material for the children in Sunday School; “Zacchaeus was a very little man and a very little man was he” etc! But what does it have to say to us grown ups??

Q1 What do we know about the status of tax collectors in first century Palestinian society?

Some have speculated that Zacchaeus might have been VERY short, possibly a dwarf or hunchback. Have a look at Leviticus 21.17-20.

Q2 Does the Bible encourage us to view disability, illness or unusual appearance as a sign of God’s disfavour? (Compare Deuteronomy 28.15ff with John 9.1-3)

Q3 Is there a contrast between a merciful, forgiving Jesus and a harsh, judgmental Old Testament God? How should we explain this contrast? Which picture most accurately portrays the true image of God?

Q4 Is there a link between people experiencing prejudice or exclusion and their being drawn into dodgy occupations and activities?

In spite of his faults there was hope for Zacchaeus, because he recognised that he needed to change and because Jesus was coming.

Q5 What else do you notice about Zacchaeus’s meeting with Jesus (v1-6)?

Q6 In verse 7, who were the “they” who disapproved of Jesus’ socialising with someone like Zacchaeus? Are we ever guilty of this kind of attitude?

Q7 Who are the Zacchaeuses of our day, of our society? How likely are they to encounter God’s grace? What can we do to improve the odds?

Q8 What do you make of Zacchaeus’s promises in verse 8? (See Leviticus 6.1-5 or Numbers 5.5-7 for the restitution that was due). Do you think he would have actually followed through with all this? Does it matter whether he did or not?

Q9 What were the spiritual results of the meeting of Jesus and Zacchaeus?

Q10 Verses 9 and 10 are a concise summary of the Good News, the Gospel. How closely do the Church’s aims and priorities match those of our Lord and Saviour?