# Zacchaeus

> Jewish Christian disciple and apostle (fl. 1. century)

**Wikidata**: [Q139792](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q139792)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zacchaeus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zacchaeus

## Summary
Zacchaeus was a Jewish Christian disciple and apostle of the 1st century, most notably recognized as a publican (tax collector) who became a follower of Jesus, as depicted in biblical accounts.

## Biography
- Born: No birth date or place is provided in the source material
- Nationality: Jewish (implied from "Jewish Christian disciple")
- Education: Not mentioned
- Known for: Being a disciple and apostle of Jesus, known as a publican/tax collector
- Employer(s): Publican (tax collector) - this is his occupation
- Field(s): Religious leadership, discipleship

## Contributions
No specific contributions like publications, patents, or projects are documented in the source material as Zacchaeus is a biblical figure rather than a modern professional or academic.

## FAQs
- What was Zacchaeus's occupation? Zacchaeus was a publican, or tax collector, in antiquity.
- When did he live? Zacchaeus lived during the 1st century.
- What was his significance in Christianity? He is recognized as a disciple and apostle who followed Jesus.
- What is his connection to Jesus? Zacchaeus is known for meeting Jesus and becoming one of his followers.

## Why They Matter
Zacchaeus holds significance as an example of repentance and transformation in Christian tradition. His story illustrates how individuals from marginalized positions could become followers of Jesus and contribute to the early Christian community. Without his conversion, the biblical narrative would lack this specific example of a tax collector's transformation.

## Notable For
- Was a publican (tax collector) who became a disciple of Jesus
- Recognized as an apostle in early Christian communities
- Featured in biblical accounts as an example of repentance

## Body
### Early Life and Occupation
Zacchaeus lived during the 1st century and was a publican, or tax collector, in antiquity. This occupation placed him in a position of authority but also social marginalization, as tax collectors were often viewed with suspicion by the Jewish community due to their association with Roman authorities.

### Religious Conversion
The most significant event in Zacchaeus's life was his encounter with Jesus. According to biblical accounts, Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus but was too short to see over the crowd. He climbed a sycamore tree, and when Jesus passed by, he called out to Zacchaeus, saying, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately; I must stay at your house today." Zacchaeus immediately responded and welcomed Jesus into his home.

### Role as Disciple and Apostle
Following this encounter, Zacchaeus became one of Jesus's disciples and later an apostle in the early Christian community. His transformation from a tax collector to a follower of Jesus demonstrated the inclusive nature of Jesus's ministry, as he accepted individuals from all social backgrounds.

### Legacy in Christian Tradition
Zacchaeus's story has become an important part of Christian teachings about repentance and social justice. The biblical account includes Jesus's words to Zacchaeus: "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham; and the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." This passage emphasizes the importance of reaching out to those considered outcasts by society.

### Cultural Representation
The figure of Zacchaeus has been depicted in various forms of art and literature throughout Christian history. His story has inspired numerous sermons and theological discussions about social justice and the inclusive nature of the Christian community.

### Identification and Classification
From a modern classification perspective, Zacchaeus is identified as a Jewish Christian disciple and apostle. His occupation as a publican connects him to the social and economic structures of 1st-century Judea under Roman rule. The various identifiers and properties from Wikidata provide multiple ways to reference this historical figure across different databases and sources.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. CERL Thesaurus
4. Enciclopedia Treccani
5. Virtual International Authority File