Jericho: Where Redemption Met a Tax Collector

As one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities (dating back 11,000 years), Jericho holds layers of biblical history beneath its modern surface. The city’s famous encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus reveals profound lessons about grace and transformation:

“When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I am to stay at your house today.’… And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of man has come to seek out and save what was lost.'”

Luke 19:5,9-10
Zacchaeus tree in Jericho

Modern Jericho’s Biblical Connections

Today’s visitors to Jericho can explore:

  • Zacchaeus’ Sycamore – A 2000-year-old tree (possibly a descendant of the original) near the Orthodox church
  • Ancient Tel Jericho – Excavations revealing walls from Joshua’s time
  • Elisha’s Spring – The perennial water source that made Jericho an oasis (2 Kings 2:19-22)
  • Mount of Temptation – Where Jesus fasted 40 days, now home to a cliffside monastery

The story’s setting explains why Zacchaeus was so despised – as a chief tax collector in this wealthy border city, he collaborated with Rome while exploiting his own people. Yet Jesus’ choice to dine with him demonstrates radical grace that still challenges social norms today.

Palestinians

Theological Significance

This encounter reveals three transformative truths:

  1. Divine Initiative – Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name, showing God’s active pursuit
  2. Radical Repentance – Zacchaeus offers quadruple restitution, exceeding Jewish law
  3. Social Reconciliation – The meal bridges societal divides between “sinner” and rabbi

Modern Parallel: Jericho remains a border town today, now between Israel and Palestinian territories. The story’s themes of crossing boundaries and finding common humanity remain profoundly relevant.

Visitor Tips

  • Combine your visit with nearby Qasr el-Yahud (Jesus’ baptism site)
  • Try dates from Jericho’s famous palm groves
  • Visit in winter when temperatures are mild (summer often exceeds 40°C/104°F)
  • Note that some sites require passing through Israeli military checkpoints