Luke 19

     19:1-10.  Here is a rich man being saved (cf. 18:24-25).  He is not saved by asking what more he can do (18:18), but by longing just to see Jesus, and answering his call with rejoicing.  V.8 is his response to Jesus’ acceptance of him, not its cause.  Nothing was asked of him except his hospitality.  The offer of restitution (cf. 2 Sam.12:6) was an act of gratitude.  Zaccheus was called a son of Abraham because he had the righteousness of Abraham, a righteousness by faith (9).  Cf. Gal.3:7.

      19:11-27.  “They supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately,” (11, and cf. 38).  The parable is meant to dampen that notion.  The receiving of the kingdom will be done out of their sight (12), but the king will return to settle accounts with both his servants and his enemies.  The servant who does not use his gifts will lose them.  The more the gifts of grace are used, the more they will multiply.  Vv. 25-26 are a rebuke to those who view the blessings of others (such as Zaccheus?) with envy and complaints about “fairness”.  As for the king’s enemies who hated and rejected him, they will be paid in kind when the king returns (27).

     When Herod’s son, Archelaus, went to Rome to receive a kingdom, the Jews (with good reason) did just as v.14 says, perhaps with similar results to v.27 when he returned.

     19:28-40.  Cf. Mt.21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10.

     Jesus’ rebuke to the offended Pharisees (40) indicates that there is more praise to be expected from stones than from those who were put here to lead creation in praise, but are spiritually dead.  These are those who say, “We will not have this man to reign over us.” (14, KJV). 

     19:41-44.  Cf. Luke 13:34f., which implies what John tells us plainly, i.e. this is by no means the first time Jesus has traveled to Jerusalem since he began his ministry.

     19:45-48.  Cf. Is.56:6-7; Jer.7:11.  John 2:13-16 reports a very similar incident at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  This marketing was going on in the outer court, called the Court of the Gentiles.  Gentiles were not allowed to enter the court reserved for Jews, and only the priests went into the inner court of the temple.