That Man in the Tree
Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector for Rome in the city of Jericho. In such a position, fraud was easily committed and apparently, in some cases, it was unintentional. A collector’s duty required him to collect a quota set by the Roman government, any additional money that he collected belonged to him. The temptations and opportunities to enrich him were numerous; however, there is no evidence in scripture that Zacchaeus was a dishonest tax collector; nonetheless, the people could not imagine any goodness or generosity in one who served the Roman power. They hated tax collectors and especially tax collectors who were Jews.
Although, Zacchaeus was a very successful man, there was a void in his life and he wanted
Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector for Rome in the city of Jericho. In such a position, fraud was easily committed and apparently, in some cases, it was unintentional. A collector’s duty required him to collect a quota set by the Roman government, any additional money that he collected belonged to him. The temptations and opportunities to enrich him were numerous; however, there is no evidence in scripture that Zacchaeus was a dishonest tax collector; nonetheless, the people could not imagine any goodness or generosity in one who served the Roman power. They hated tax collectors and especially tax collectors who were Jews.
Although, Zacchaeus was a very successful man, there was a void in his life and he wanted