Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree

Luke 19:1–10

WHAT HAPPENED

Jesus went through Jericho. A man wanted to see Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd, so he climbed a sycamore tree. When Jesus came by, He looked up and called him by name. Jesus said He would stay at his house, and people complained. Then Jesus said that salvation had come to that house.

SCENE 1 / 6

A Rich Tax Collector

Jesus entered Jericho. He was passing through the city on His way.

Luke 19:1

SCENE 2 / 6

Too Short to See

A man wanted to see who Jesus was. But he could not see because a crowd was in the way. He was too short to look over the people.

Luke 19:3

SCENE 3 / 6

Up the Sycamore Tree

So he ran ahead of the crowd. Then he climbed into a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus. Jesus was going to pass that way.

Luke 19:4

SCENE 4 / 6

Jesus Calls His Name

When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and saw him in the tree. Jesus called him by name and told him to come down quickly. Jesus said He must stay at his house that day.

Luke 19:5

SCENE 5 / 6

A Changed Heart

When the people saw Jesus go there, they complained. They said He had gone to be a guest with a sinner. Not everyone was happy that Jesus chose that house.

Luke 19:7

SCENE 6 / 6

To Seek and Save

Jesus said that salvation had come to that house. He said this good news had come there that very day. Jesus brought saving grace into that home.

Luke 19:9

MEMORY VERSE · New King James Version (NKJV)

“for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””

Luke 19:10

WHAT WE LEARN

Jesus sees people clearly and calls them to come near. He does not stay away from people others look down on. Jesus brings salvation, and that is very good news for every home that welcomes Him.

DID YOU KNOW?

A sycamore tree was a real tree someone could climb to see over a crowd.

TALK ABOUT IT

Why did the man climb the tree?
How did Jesus know where to look?
What did the crowd do when Jesus went to his house?
What do we learn about Jesus from this story?

PRAY ABOUT IT

Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing people and calling them by name. Please come near to us and bring Your salvation to our home.

📍 Where it happened: Jericho

CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY