ZACCHÆUS (= Zaccai, Ezra 2:9 , Nehemiah 7:14 , lit. ‘pure’). 1 . An officer put to death by Judas Maccabæus for treachery ( 2Ma 10:18-22 ). 2 . A ‘chief publican’ of Jericho who entertained our Lord ( Luke 19:1-10 ). He was a rich man, a Jew ( Luke 19:8 ), of a higher grade than St. Matthew, but, like all his class, hated by his countrymen. Being short of stature, he had climbed up into a ‘fig-mulberry’ tree to see Jesus; our Lord called him down and invited Himself to his house. On hearing the murmuring of the people at the distinction conferred on a publican, Zacchæus justifies himself. Jesus passes this by, but in effect replies to the murmurers: ‘If he is a sinner, I have come to save him.’
A. J. Maclean.