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Zacchaeus in the Tree

Zacchaeus in the Tree: a short retelling of the Bible story from Luke 19 for children, with questions, a memory verse and an activity.

Zacchaeus, a short man, was a rich tax collector whom people disliked. When Jesus came to Jericho he climbed a sycamore tree to see him. Jesus saw him and said he would stay at his house. Zacchaeus was so happy that he promised to give half his money to the poor and to pay back four times anyone he had cheated.

Read it in the Bible

This story is in Luke chapter 19 of the Bible.

A verse to remember

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10, World English Bible

Questions to talk about

  1. Why did Zacchaeus climb the tree?
  2. How did he change?
  3. Who needs a friend like Jesus today?

An activity

Make a paper tree and put a small figure in it.

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Questions people ask

Where is this story in the Bible?

Luke, chapter 19.

The stories are simple retellings for children and are not a substitute for reading the Bible. Churches teach the stories in different ways; adapt to your own tradition.