Luke 19:2

The chief] RV 'a chief publican.' 'There must have been at Jericho one of the principal custom-houses, both on account of the exportation of the balm which grew in that oasis, and which was sold in all countries of the world, and on account of the considerable traffic which took place on this road, by which lay the route from Persea to Judaea and Egypt. Zacchaeus was at the head of this office' (Godet). It is unlikely that Zacchaeus belonged to the highest class of publicani, who collected the taxes of whole provinces or kingdoms, though occasionally Jews filled such an office. Zacchaeus has a Hebrew name, and is clearly a Jew: see on Matthew 5:46; Matthew 9:9.