Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Pure, a superintendant of customs; a chief tax-gather (publicanus) at Jericho (Luke 19:1-10). ” Being short of stature, he hastened on before the multitude who were thronging about Christ as he passed through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, and climbed up a sycamore tree that he might be able to see him. When our Lord reached the spot he looked up to the publican among the branches, and addressing him by name, told him to make haste and come down, as he intended that day to abide at his house.
This led to the remarkable interview recorded by the evangelist, and to the striking parable of the ten pounds (Luke 19:12-27). At Er-riha (Jericho) there is a large, venerable looking square tower, which goes by the traditional name of the House of Zacchaeus.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(pure), a tax-collector near Jericho, who, being short in stature climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to obtain a sight of Jesus as he passed through that place. ” The term which designates his office -“the chief among the publicans” -is unusual, but describes him, no doubt, as the superintendent of customs or tribute in the district of Jericho, where he lived. The office must have been a lucrative one in such a region, and it is not strange that Zacchaeus is mentioned by the evangelists as a rich man.
The Saviour spent the night probably in the house of Zacchaeus, and the next day pursued his journey. He was in the caravan from Galilee which was going to Jerusalem to keep the Passover.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
ZACCHAE'US (pure). The story of his conversion is related only by Luke 19:2-10. He was a rich Jew, resident in Jericho, and chief officer of the tax- or tribute-collectors in that place, and hence "a sinner," for the Jews regarded all publicans or tax gatherers in this light. The revenue in Jericho was doubtless considerable, and mainly derived from taxes on the balsam so abundantly produced in the neighborhood, all along the banks of the Jordan.
His desire to see Christ was so much excited that he took pains to climb into a tree by the roadside that he might have a fair view of him as the crowd passed. Jesus, knowing his character and motives, proposed to spend the day with him, to which Zacchaeus gladly assented. His mind was probably brought at once under the influence of the Spirit of God, and on that very day he and his family became interested in the salvation of the gospel.
He gave the best evidence of the sincerity of his conversion by declaring his intention to give half his goods to the poor and to restore fourfold for every illegal exaction he had made. Our Lord probably passed the night in his house, and on the next morning passed on with the Passover pilgrims to Jerusalem. T.