Bible story · Luke 19:1–10

Zacchaeus

A short tax collector climbs a tree to see Jesus, and his life is changed. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

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1 of 8

Jesus was passing through the city of Jericho, and crowds of people lined the street to see him.

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
Luke 19:1 KJV

2 of 8

A man named Zacchaeus lived there. He was a chief tax collector and very rich, but people didn’t like him, because tax collectors often cheated.

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
Luke 19:2 KJV

3 of 8

Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was too short to see over the crowd.

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
Luke 19:3 KJV

4 of 8

So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree, so he could see Jesus as he passed by.

And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Luke 19:4 KJV

5 of 8

When Jesus reached the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.”

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Luke 19:5 KJV

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Zacchaeus climbed down as fast as he could and welcomed Jesus into his home with joy, even though the crowd grumbled.

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Luke 19:6 KJV

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Zacchaeus stood up and said, “Lord, I will give half of everything I own to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much.”

And Zacchæus 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 KJV

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Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10 KJV

The end

Next story: Jesus Raises Lazarus

What does this story teach?

Jesus knows us by name and wants to be our friend.
No one is too far away for Jesus to reach.
Meeting Jesus changes how we live and treat others.
Making things right with people we have hurt is part of following Jesus.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus so much?
How do you think Zacchaeus felt when Jesus called him by name?
What did Zacchaeus do after meeting Jesus?
Is there something you need to make right with someone?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Luke 19:1–10, one verse per screen:

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible?

The story of Zacchaeus is in Luke 19:1–10. It happens in Jericho, shortly before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.

Why did Zacchaeus climb a tree?

Luke 19:3–4 says he wanted to see Jesus but “was little of stature,” so he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see over the crowd.

Why did people dislike Zacchaeus?

He was a chief tax collector working for the Romans. Tax collectors were often seen as traitors and were known for cheating people by charging more than they should.

What is the lesson of Zacchaeus?

Jesus came to find and save the lost (Luke 19:10). His love changed Zacchaeus, who gave to the poor and paid back those he had cheated.

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