Luke 19 9

Luke 19:9 kjv

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Luke 19:9 nkjv

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;

Luke 19:9 niv

Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

Luke 19:9 esv

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

Luke 19:9 nlt

Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 9 Meaning

Luke 19:9 declares that salvation has arrived today for Zacchaeus and his entire household, underscoring the immediate and transformative power of God's grace in response to genuine repentance. Jesus pronounces Zacchaeus a true "son of Abraham," not by mere physical lineage, but by his demonstrated faith and changed life, signifying his inclusion in God's spiritual covenant people.

Luke 19 9 Context

Luke chapter 19 begins with Jesus' entry into Jericho, where Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector (a despised profession due to extortion and collaboration with Roman occupiers), earnestly seeks to see Jesus. Despite his wealth and public standing, Zacchaeus is physically short and climbs a sycamore tree. Jesus initiates contact, calling him by name and declaring His intention to stay at Zacchaeus's house – an astonishing and scandalous act to the onlookers, who grumble about Jesus associating with a "sinner." In response, Zacchaeus spontaneously pledges to give half his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he has cheated fourfold, far exceeding legal requirements. It is immediately after this demonstrable repentance that Jesus utters the words of Luke 19:9, affirming Zacchaeus's transformation and standing before God.

Luke 19 9 Word analysis

• And Jesus said to him, 'Today (σήμερον, sēmeron): Emphasizes the immediacy and sovereign timing (kairos) of God's act. Salvation is not a future promise for Zacchaeus, but a present reality that manifests the moment genuine faith is evidenced. This word highlights the urgency and availability of grace.
• salvation (σωτηρία, sōtēria): Signifies comprehensive deliverance from sin and its consequences – spiritual restoration, reconciliation with God, ethical transformation, and ultimately, eternal life. It includes not just forgiveness, but being made whole, bringing Zacchaeus from alienation to fellowship with God and even his community (through his restitution).
• has come (γέγονεν, gegonen): This Greek verb is in the perfect tense. It denotes a completed action that has ongoing, present results. It is not merely "is coming" or "will come," but "has arrived and is now fully present and established." The reality of salvation for Zacchaeus's household is an accomplished fact.
• to this house (οἴκῳ τούτῳ, oikō toutō): "House" refers not just to the physical dwelling but to Zacchaeus's entire household – his family, servants, and all who lived under his patriarchal care. This signifies a corporate blessing and extends God's favor to all connected to him. This aligns with many biblical instances of household salvation.
• because (καθότι, kathoti): This introduces the reason for the declaration of salvation. It is not presented as Zacchaeus earning salvation by his good deeds, but his genuine acts of repentance (giving half his possessions, fourfold restitution) are evidence and a visible fruit of a true, internal faith and change of heart. They are the demonstrations of his being a true son of Abraham, not the cause of him becoming one.
• he too (καὶ αὐτός, kai autos): The emphatic "even he" or "he himself." This phrase highlights the radical nature of Zacchaeus's inclusion, especially given his public sinner status. It challenges the conventional wisdom and societal exclusion, emphasizing that even such a one is welcomed into God's saving grace.
• is a son of Abraham (υἱὸς Ἀβραάμ ἐστιν, huios Abraam estin): This is a pivotal declaration. For Jewish people, being a "son of Abraham" traditionally meant physical descent from Abraham, implying a privileged position in God's covenant. However, Jesus redefines this identity here. Zacchaeus's acts of repentance and faith demonstrate he embodies the true character and faith of Abraham (who demonstrated faith through obedience), rather than merely relying on birthright. Jesus points to a spiritual lineage rooted in faith and righteous action, directly contrasting with those who claimed Abraham as their father but rejected Jesus's message and way (Jn 8:39).

Luke 19 9 Bonus section

The narrative surrounding Luke 19:9 stands as a powerful demonstration of Jesus's mission to "seek and save the lost" (Lk 19:10). By proactively engaging with Zacchaeus, entering his home, and then declaring his spiritual lineage, Jesus overturns the societal norms and religious prejudice of His time. The Pharisees and other onlookers would have been scandalized by Jesus associating with a "sinner" and "tax collector," people considered unclean and excluded from the covenant community. Jesus's pronouncement thus serves as a sharp contrast to the prevailing Jewish understanding of righteousness and inclusion, pointing towards the new covenant's inclusive nature where faith, demonstrated by repentance, takes precedence over birthright or legalistic observance. This entire event serves as a vivid illustration that God's favor is extended to those who recognize their sin and genuinely turn to Him, breaking down barriers between the righteous and sinners, and Jew and Gentile (by foreshadowing the Gentile inclusion in Abraham's spiritual seed).

Luke 19 9 Commentary

Luke 19:9 marks a climactic moment in the Zacchaeus narrative, embodying central truths of the Gospel. It is Jesus's divine pronouncement that cuts through human judgment and societal norms. The word "Today" emphasizes God's instantaneous and timely grace, making salvation an immediate reality upon genuine response. The perfect tense, "has come," highlights that this salvation is a settled and accomplished fact, with enduring effects on Zacchaeus and his household. Crucially, Jesus's declaration that Zacchaeus "is a son of Abraham" radically redefines this revered Jewish identity. While Jews proudly asserted physical descent from Abraham (Jn 8:39), Jesus demonstrates that true spiritual kinship with Abraham is recognized not by bloodline or external status, but by a faith that expresses itself in transformative repentance and righteous actions, mirroring Abraham's own obedient faith. This validates Zacchaeus's place within the true people of God despite being an outcast. It serves as a direct polemic against the exclusivity held by the religious establishment, illustrating God's redemptive power extends to all who genuinely repent, irrespective of their past or societal standing.

• Practical Usage Example: For someone weighed down by past failures or societal condemnation, Zacchaeus's story highlights that salvation and acceptance by God are possible today, no matter how distant or despised one feels.