1986 acrylic 11.75x8.75
Zacchaeus (Greek which means pure) was a superintendent of customs; a chief tax-gatherer (Latin: publicanus) at Jericho (Luke 19:1-10). Because the lucrative production and export of balsam was centered in Jericho, his position carried both importance and wealth. Being a short man, he arrived before the crowd who were later to meet with Jesus as he passed through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. The tax collector climbed up a sycamore fig tree so that he might be able to see him. When Christ reached the spot he looked up into the branches, addressed Zacchaeus by name, and told him to come down. Jesus told the man, who was a hated tax collector, that he intended to visit his house. The crowd was shocked that Christ would sully himself by being a guest of a tax collector. There was much dissatisfaction at his honoring the house of a sinner by this visit. In parting, Jesus declared his host to be a good son of Abraham.
This led to the remarkable interview recorded by the evangelist, recounting Zacchaeus's repentance and vow to make restitution for his sins, and leads naturally into the striking parable of the Ten Talents.