And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
And he made haste ("and come down,") and came down ("for today I must abide at thy house,") and received him joyfully. Whence this so sudden "joy" in the cold bosom of an avaricious publican? The internal revolution was as perfect as it was instantaneous. He who spake to Matthew the publican but those witching words, "Follow me," and "he arose, left all, and followed Him" - He who said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch forth thine hand," and "he stretched it out, and it was restored whole as the other" - the same said to the heart of Zaccheus at one and the same moment as to his ear, "Make haste and come down; for today I must abide at thy house." He with whom Zaccheus had to do had but to "speak, and it was done;" though few penetrated to the secret of this as the centurion did, at whose faith Jesus "marveled" (Luke 7:7-9). At the same time one can trace the steps of this revolution in the mind of Zaccheus. In the look which Christ gave him - "When Jesus came to the place, He looked up," singling him out from all others-he must have seen something of a purpose toward himself, which would at once arrest him attention. Then, His addressing him by name, as perfectly familiar with him, though He had never seen or heard of him before-this would fill him with amazement, and make the thought instantly flash across his mind, 'This must be the Christ He claims to be!' But when the call followed, in such wonderful terms - "Make haste, and come down, for today I must abide at thy house" - the conscious majesty of it, and the power with which it was spoken, as if sure of instant and glad obedience, doubtless completed the conquest of his mind and heart. But these, though the avenues through which Christ found His way into Zaccheus' heart, must not be regarded as the whole explanation of the change upon him. (See the note at Acts 16:14.)