Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Luke 19:8

Stood

(σταθεις). Apparently Jesus and Zacchaeus had come to the house of Zacchaeus and were about to enter when the murmur became such a roar that Zacchaeus turned round and faced the crowd.If I have wrongfully exacted aught of any man

(ε τινος τ εσυκοφαντησα). A most significant admission and confession. It is a condition of the first class (ε and the aorist active indicative) that assumes it to be true. His own conscience was at work. He may have heard audible murmurs from the crowd. For the verb συκοφαντειν, see discussion on Luke 3:14, the only two instances in the N.T. He had extorted money wrongfully as they all knew.I return fourfold

(αποδιδωμ τετραπλουν). I offer to do it here and now on this spot. This was the Mosaic law (Exodus 22:1; Numbers 5:6). Restitution is good proof of a change of heart. D. L. Moody used to preach it with great power. Without this the offer of Zacchaeus to give half his goods to the poor would be less effective. "It is an odd coincidence, nothing more, that the fig-mulberry (sycamore) should occur in connexion with the fig-shewer (sycophant)."

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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Luke 19:8

Old Testament

New Testament