Four Times the Amount

THE QUESTION

Besides giving half of his possessions to the poor, Zacchaeus made a promise to anyone he had cheated. How much did he say he would pay back?

A) Twice the amount

B) Four times the amount ✓

C) Seven times the amount

D) Ten times the amount

A closer look

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, and when Jesus went to his house, the whole crowd began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner” (Luke 19:7).

But being welcomed by Jesus changed him. He stood up and said, “Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (Luke 19:8).

If you chose seven times, you were close: Proverbs says a thief who is caught “must pay sevenfold” (Proverbs 6:31). But Zacchaeus promised four times the amount, and half of everything he owned to the poor besides.

Jesus answered, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9), and then spoke the words of today’s verse: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

We hope this helped you grow in God’s Word today. Now head back to your email and tell us how you liked today’s devotional. 🙏