Luke 19 8

Luke 19:8 kjv

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Luke 19:8 nkjv

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."

Luke 19:8 niv

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

Luke 19:8 esv

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."

Luke 19:8 nlt

Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!"

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 8 Meaning

Luke 19:8 portrays a pivotal moment of radical transformation in Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector. Prompted by Jesus' presence and unexpected grace in seeking him out, Zacchaeus declares a dramatic and public commitment to repentance. His vow involves a selfless redistribution of his ill-gotten wealth: giving half of his possessions to the poor and repaying fourfold anyone he has defrauded. This declaration of voluntary restitution and generosity demonstrates a deep, genuine change of heart and is presented as evidence of true repentance and a living faith.

Luke 19 8 Context

Luke chapter 19 opens with Jesus entering Jericho, a city known for its wealth, partly due to its position as a tax collection hub. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector (meaning he supervised other tax collectors and was exceptionally wealthy), was a social outcast, viewed by his Jewish compatriots as a traitor and a sinner due to his collaboration with the Roman occupiers and likely oppressive practices. The immediate preceding narratives in Luke's Gospel include Jesus' interactions concerning wealth and discipleship, such as the parable of the persistent widow, the rich young ruler, and Jesus' teaching that "what is impossible with man is possible with God" (Lk 18:27). This sets the stage for a dramatic display of God's power to transform hearts, even that of a notoriously sinful individual. Jesus’ intentional act of looking for Zacchaeus and inviting himself to his home (Lk 19:5) shattered societal norms and provoked immediate criticism from the crowd, making Zacchaeus' public declaration in verse 8 even more significant as a direct response to this extraordinary grace and hospitality. His action serves as a concrete manifestation of the spiritual transformation initiated by Jesus’ compassionate outreach.

Luke 19 8 Word analysis

• And Zacchaeus: (Kai Zakchaios). "Zacchaeus" (Ζακχαῖος, Zakchaios) is a Hellenized form of the Hebrew name "Zakkai" (זַכַּי), meaning "pure" or "innocent." This is ironic for a chief tax collector, a profession synonymous with impurity and exploitation. Luke's inclusion of his name carries symbolic weight, hinting at the radical transformation from being 'unclean' to 'made pure' through Christ.
• stood: (statheis, σταθείς). A participle from histēmi, meaning "to stand," "to take a stand," "to establish." It implies a deliberate, active, and resolute posture, not a casual act. Zacchaeus' standing is a public, official declaration, perhaps even rising from his meal, signifying a clear and decisive break from his past and an intention to live differently.
• and said to the Lord: (eipen pros ton Kyrion, εἶπεν πρὸς τὸν Κύριον). His address "to the Lord" indicates recognition of Jesus' authority and divinity, or at least a deep respect for His divine commission. It is a direct and personal commitment, bypassing the disapproving crowd.
• "Behold, Lord: (Idou Kyrios, Ἰδοὺ Κύριε). "Behold" (ἰδού, idou) is an emphatic interjection, drawing immediate attention to what follows. It emphasizes the momentous nature of his declaration, marking a sudden, complete change of perspective and commitment.
• the half: (ta hēmisy, τὰ ἡμίσυ). Zacchaeus declares to give away "half," signifying a substantial and genuinely sacrificial commitment. This goes far beyond the typical temple tax or almsgiving.
• of my goods: (mou tōn hyparchontōn, μου τῶν ὑπαρχόντων). "Goods" or "possessions" (ὑπάρχοντα, hyparchonta) refers to his movable wealth, liquid assets, indicating a practical and immediate commitment to divestment.
• I give to the poor: (didōmi tois ptōchois, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς). The use of the present tense didōmi ("I give" or "I am giving") signifies an immediate, decisive, and ongoing commitment, not a future promise. This spontaneous act of radical generosity directly opposes the typical greed associated with tax collectors. It shows concrete fruit of repentance and love for neighbor.
• And if: (kai eī, καὶ εἴ). This "if" is more in the sense of "if it should happen that," not implying doubt but rather acknowledging the inevitability of past wrongdoing that needs correction.
• I have defrauded: (esykoφαντῆσα, esykophantēsa). From sykophanteō, meaning "to accuse falsely," "to oppress," "to exact more than is due," "to defraud." This word is closely linked to the unjust practices of tax collectors. It specifically denotes extorting money, usually through intimidation or false accusations, indicating the corrupt methods by which he acquired his wealth.
• anyone: (tinos, τινός). The indefinite "anyone" shows Zacchaeus acknowledges he cannot name all victims but is committed to finding and making amends with them.
• of anything: (ti, τι). The "anything" indicates his desire to cover all forms of injustice, however small.
• I restore: (apodidōmi, ἀποδίδωμι). "I restore" (ἀποδίδωμι, apodidōmi) is another present tense verb, denoting an immediate, active intention to make restitution. This aligns with legal and ethical requirements of returning what was wrongfully taken.
• fourfold: (tetraploun, τετραπλοῦν). This "fourfold" (or quadruple) repayment goes far beyond the Mosaic law's standard restitution (which was the principal plus one-fifth, i.e., 20% in Num 5:7, Lev 6:4-5), and even the law for stolen animals (fourfold or fivefold in Ex 22:1, or fourfold in 2 Sam 12:6 for specific theft). By declaring this, Zacchaeus signals not merely legal compliance but an exceptional level of repentance, demonstrating a truly transformed heart and an eager desire to correct past wrongs in a way that exceeds human expectations. It also reflects an ancient punitive legal tradition where certain severe offenses required quadruple payment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord: This public and active declaration demonstrates Zacchaeus' decisive shift from passively observing to actively committing himself before Jesus and the gathered crowd. It highlights the initiative he takes in his repentance, an outward manifestation of an inward change.
• "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor": This phrase reveals Zacchaeus' immediate, generous, and self-sacrificial response. Giving away half his substantial wealth was an act of extreme humility and surrender, directly contrasting with the rich young ruler's inability to do likewise (Lk 18:22). It serves as tangible evidence of repentance and true faith, valuing eternal riches over earthly gain.
• "and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore fourfold": This statement speaks to the depth of Zacchaeus' penitence and his commitment to radical justice. His willingness to make restitution for past wrongs, exceeding the legal requirements, demonstrates a genuine desire to reconcile with God and man. This far surpasses the demands of the Law, underscoring his fervent desire for righteousness and true transformation.

Luke 19 8 Bonus section

The radical nature of Zacchaeus’ pledge to give half his goods to the poor and pay back fourfold those he defrauded should be understood against the backdrop of Jewish understanding of sin and atonement. Tax collectors like Zacchaeus were considered notorious sinners, and it was widely believed that one could not truly repent and receive atonement for sins against a neighbor without first making restitution. Zacchaeus' comprehensive and excessive restitution, particularly the fourfold repayment which goes beyond the general legal requirements (Num 5:7, Lev 6:5), shows a desire not merely to satisfy the letter of the law but to demonstrate an extravagant level of remorse and restoration. His actions would have been shocking to the crowd, directly confronting their preconceived notions about such 'unclean' individuals. This bold declaration illustrates the profound impact of Jesus’ unconditional love and acceptance, prompting a response that was both morally exemplary and financially crippling, yet freely given.

Luke 19 8 Commentary

Luke 19:8 vividly portrays the transformative power of God's grace in the life of Zacchaeus. His declaration is not a bargain with Jesus, but a spontaneous overflow of repentance. Giving half his possessions to the poor goes beyond Jewish charity customs, reflecting the teachings of Jesus to sell and give to the poor. His pledge of fourfold restitution for any fraud similarly far exceeds the Old Testament's prescribed 20% addition (Num 5:7, Lev 6:5), and even goes beyond the fourfold specified for animal theft (Ex 22:1). This demonstrates an extraordinary level of contrition and an earnest desire to right his wrongs. It is the practical, tangible "fruit" of repentance, a stark contrast to mere verbal affirmation. This radical act validates Zacchaeus' true conversion and highlights that genuine salvation brings about immediate, tangible changes in one's relationship to wealth and one's fellow human beings. His actions fulfill Jesus' earlier statements about wealth and salvation being "possible with God" (Lk 18:27) and perfectly anticipate Jesus' declaration of salvation coming to Zacchaeus' house in the next verse. It stands as a profound example of genuine spiritual awakening expressed through sacrificial generosity and ethical accountability.