In the city of Jericho was a group of tax-gatherers
or publicans who collected the money that came
from the farming area.

One chief tax-gatherer was named Zacchaeus.
He was rich and because he was wealthy, the
people saw him as an extortionist.

He had seen the crowd coming and learned
that Jesus was coming through town. He wanted
to see Him. Zacchaeus new about Matthew and
that he was a former tax-collecter, so he thought
the Jesus may accept him.