25 Parables of Jesus -- 'A' Through to 'Z' Quiz

Answer: To an unnamed far country

The NKJV reports the man went to a "far country," but doesn't provide any more details. (The KJV uses the term "far journey.") The parable is found in only Mark and not the three other Gospels.

The theme of the parable is that Christians should always be on guard for Christ's return. "The point of the parable is that the master could return at any time, so all servants must be vigilant and watchful," according to notes in the NKJV Study Bible.

Mark 13:33-37 in the NKJV quotes Jesus as saying:
"'Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming -- in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning -- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch'!"

Answer: They were impressed, and then some.

When the people heard the parable, they were definitely impressed. In fact, the NKJV and the KJV use the word "astonished" while the NIV uses the word "amazed".

Here's how Matthew 7:24-27 in the NKJV quotes Jesus:
"'Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.'

"And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible offer these thoughts on the parable: "The key difference in the two houses is not their external appearances. Pharisees and scribes may seem to be as righteous heirs of the kingdom. The key in the story is the foundations. The house on the rock pictures a life founded on a proper relationship with Christ (Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Peter 2:4-8). It will stand the test of Christ's judgment but the house on the sand will fail the test (see 1 Corinthians 2: 12-15)."

Answer: 10

The correct answer is ten. The parable appears in only the Gospel of Luke and not in the three other Gospels. Here's how Christ's parable reads in its entirety in the NKJV:

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

According to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, a drachma was a silver coin equal to a day's wage for a basic laborer. The notes also state the woman needed a lamp to find the missing coin because she lived in a windowless house. Her broom used for sweeping the floor would've been made of palm twigs, the notes go on to state.

Answer: Catching fish

In this case, the dragnet was used for catching fish. However, the on-line edition of the American Heritage Encyclopedia, reports a dragnet is also used for catching small game and it can also mean "a system of co-ordinated procedures for apprehending criminal suspects or other wanted persons." A popular TV show in the '50s and '60s in North America was called "Dragnet". (The show was known for Jack Webb, portraying the main character, Sgt. Joe Friday, saying "just the facts ma'am.")

The parable, found in Matthew 13:47-50, reads in the NKJV as follows:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

This is one of a number of parables in which Jesus talks about a judgment that will take place. The general theme is the faithful will be rewarded and the wicked will be condemned.

Answer: Be always ready for Christ's return

The parable of the Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant is found in only Luke and its theme is about the importance of believers being ready for Christ's return.

Here's how the parable, found in Luke 12:35-40, reads in the NKJV:
"Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

A common theme in the parables is that Christ's return will take place at an unexpected time.

Answer: The rest of the year

The correct answer is the rest of the year. (The NIV uses the term "one more year.")

The parable, which appears in Luke 13: 6-9, reads this way in the NKJV:
"He also spoke this parable: 'A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.'"

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state in this parable, the fig tree represents Israel and the man represents God.

"If the tree, symbolizing Israel, would yield some fruit it could escape judgment; a failure to produce fruit would result in judgment," the notes say. "In Luke 13:35, Jesus declares that the nation's house is desolate, so judgment comes. That judgment is described in 19:41-44. The fall of Jerusalem, which took place in A.D. 70, is in view. This theme is also addressed in 20:9-19."

The parable about the Barren Fig Tree appears in only the Gospel of Luke.

Answer: Scripture doesn't say

Scripture doesn't say how much the pearl is worth.

The parable is found in Matthew 13:45-46 and reads this way in the NKJV:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

The parable follows the one about the Parable of Hidden Treasure and precedes the one titled the Parable of the Dragnet.

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible have this to say:
"This second parable on kingdom values was evidently given to further underscore Jesus' optimism for the despondent disciples. His double encouragement indicates their great need at the time. This parable has a slightly different emphasis. Though the first individual found his treasure by accident (Parable of Hidden Treasure), the second found his by diligent search. No matter how a person is led to Christ's kingdom, its values and delight will be beyond estimation."

Answer: Treasure hidden in a field

The one-verse parable appears in only Matthew and not the three other Gospels.
It is followed by the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, the Parable of the Dragnet and the Parable of the Householder. According to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, the parables mentioned above are "especially directed at believers." The notes go on to state: "The central truth being taught is the immense value of the kingdom, which far outweighs any sacrifice or inconvenience one might encounter on earth."

The parable, in the NKJV, reads as follows:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

Answer: They were all paid the same

The parable states they were all paid the same amount -- one denarius -- despite the difference in time they worked.

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is found in Matthew 20:1-16 and reads this way in the NKJV:
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'

"So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen'."

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible offer this explanation of the parable: "In the context of Matthew, the workers and the contract represent Israel; they had promises and the covenants (see Romans 3:1-2, 9:4, Ephesians 2:11-12). Those without an agreement represent the Gentiles, who would be made equal with the Jewish people when salvation became available to all through faith in Jesus Christ (see Romans 11:16-17, Ephesians 2:13-15 and 3:6)."

Answer: Jerusalem and Jericho

Jerusalem and Jericho are both mentioned in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In all the parables told by Jesus, this is the only case in which specific communities are identified.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37. According to the passage, a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was robbed, badly beaten and left by the roadside. Two men passed by without offering to help before the Good Samaritan stopped.

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state the trip from Jerusalem to Jericho was 17 miles "on a road known to harbor many robbers. They would hide in caves along the way and attack their victims."

Answer: A priest and a Levite

The priest and the Levite is the correct answer.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37. It tells of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was robbed, badly beaten and left by the roadside. Two men passed by without offering to help. One man was a priest and the other was a Levite. However, an unnamed Samaritan man came to the rescue of the victim.

Notes in the NIV Study Bible provide interesting insight into the fact the man was neglected by a priest and a Levite and rescued by the anonymous Samaritan: "It is significant the person Jesus commended was neither the religious leader nor the lay associate, but a hated foreigner. Jews viewed Samaritans as half-breeds, both physically and spiritually. Samaritans and Jews practiced open hostility but Jesus asserted that love knows no national boundaries."

The Parable of The Good Samaritan is one of the most popular in the Bible, perhaps only surpassed by the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Incidentally, the parable has given birth to an expression used today in everyday English. The term good Samaritan is often used to describe someone who comes to the rescue, or aid, of a stranger.

Answer: From a mountainside

The correct answer is from a mountainside, as per Matthew 5:1. Incidentally, the Beatitudes contain several lines that have worked their way into everyday English. Some of the lines include "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God," and "blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called Sons of God."

Here's how the parable (Matthew 5:14-16) reads in the NKJV:
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Reading the parable, it becomes abundantly apparent Christians are judged by non-Christians for their actions.

Answer: Kingdom of God

In this parable, the kingdom of heaven is likened to a mustard seed. This is one of only seven parables that appear in more than two Gospels. In this case, it can be found in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

In Matthew, the parable appears after the Parable of the Soils and the Parable of the Wheat and Tares. Appearing after it are the Parable of the Leaven, the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, the Parable of the Dragnet and the Parable of the Householder.

Here's how the parable of the Mustard Seed, found in Mark 4:30-32, reads in the NKJV:
"Then He said, 'To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade'."

Answer: 39

The correct answer is 39. Here is the complete list of them, as per a full page chart in the NKJV Study Bible:
1.) Lamp Under a Basket.
2.) A Wise Man Builds on Rock and a Foolish Man on Sand.
3.) Unshrunk (New) Cloth on an Old Garment.
4.) New Wine in Old Wineskins.
5.) The Sower.
6.) The Tares (Weeds).
7.) The Mustard Seed.
8.) The Leaven.
9.) The Hidden Treasure.
10.) The Pearl of Great Price.
11.) The Dragnet.
12.) The Lost Sheep.
13.) The Unforgiving Servant.
14.) The Laborers in the Vineyard.
15.) The Two Sons.
16.) The Wicked Vinedressers.
17.) The Wedding Feast.
18.) The Fig Tree.
19.) The Wise and Foolish Virgins.
20.) The Talents.
21.) The Growing Seed.
22.) The Absent Householder.
23.) The Creditor and Two Debtors.
24.) The Good Samaritan.
25.) A Friend in Need.
26.) The Rich Fool.
27.) The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant.
28.) Faithful and Wise Steward.
29.) The Barren Fig Tree.
30.) The Great Supper.
31.) Building a Tower and a King Make War.
32.) The Lost Coin.
33.) The Prodigal Son.
34.) The Unjust Steward.
35.) The Rich Man and Lazarus.
36.) The Unprofitable Servants.
37.) The Persistent Widow.
38.) The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
39.) The Minas (Pounds).

Answer: Lazarus

Lazarus is the only person who is named in a parable by Jesus. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus appears in only the Gospel of Luke with the account appearing in chapter 16, verses 19-31. According to the parable, Lazarus lived outside the door of a rich man and he was so helpless the dogs would come to lick his sores. No name is given for the rich man.

Scripture tells of Lazarus and the rich man dying, with Lazarus ending up by the side of Abraham and the rich man in a place of torment. When the rich man requests that Lazarus come and dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, Abraham tells him this is not possible because there is a "great chasm" and no one can cross over it.

It must be pointed out many evangelical Christians, including a number who are members of the Bible Believers Brigade, do not regard the story of the rich man and Lazarus as a parable, but as a real story due to the fact Lazarus is named. Their view is partly based on the thinking 'if there was no such person as Lazarus, why did Jesus use the name in the account.'?

Dean521, the founder and team leader of the Bible Believers Brigade, recently offered this point of view on the team message board: "The parable of Lazarus the beggar is not a parable, but a real story. It is the only what we call parable that uses actual names. It does not say a 'certain person and such'. The rich man in torment in a REAL HELL, could see Lazarus being comforted."

There is another Lazarus, of course, who is mentioned in the Gospels. He was the brother of Mary and Martha and was raised from the dead at Bethany, as per John 11:1-44.

Answer: A judge

A judge is the correct answer. The parable appears in only the Gospel of Luke.

Here's how the parable reads in Luke 18:1-8 in the NKJV:
"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: 'There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'

"Then the Lord said, 'Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?'"

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible offer this explanation of the parable: "The persistence of the widow is the lesson of the parable. God is a counterexample to the judge. God does not begrudge answering prayer. Jesus point is that if an insensitive judge will respond to the continual requests of a widow, God will certainly respond to the continual prayers of believers."

Answer: False

False. None of the parables of Jesus reported in the Gospels refer to a queen and her purple cloth. Incidentally, not a single parable can be found in John. All the parables are found in Matthew, Mark and Luke with the majority of the parables in Luke.

However, there is an account in Acts about a woman, known as Lydia, who sold purple cloth at Philippi. According to Acts 16:11-40, she and members of her household were converted to Christianity by Paul.

Answer: Farmer

According to Scripture the rich fool was a farmer.

Here's how the parable reads in the NKJV:
"Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: 'The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry'. 'But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 'So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God'."

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state the man used the word 'I' six times in the parable which shows the "selfish focus the man has a result of his fortune."

"His plan is to store his abundant resources for himself, as though the assets were his alone and should be hoarded. This focus on the self is what Jesus is condemning."

Answer: 100

The correct answer is 100. The parable appears in only the Gospel of Luke.

Here's how the parable in Luke 15:1-7 reads in its entirety in the NKJV:
"Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, 'This Man receives sinners and eats with them.' So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

I remember reading this passage many years ago and the message penetrated to my inner core and my life would never be the same again.

Answer: He allows wheat and tares to grow together. Later, the wheat will be harvested and the tares will be removed and burned.

According to the parable, the farmer opts to allow the wheat and tares to grow together. At harvest time, the wheat is reaped while the tares are removed and then burned.

The parable is found in only the Gospel of Matthew.

Here's how the parable, as found in Matthew 13:24-30, reads in the NKJV:
"Another parable He put forth to them, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn'."

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible offer this observation: "Tares closely resemble wheat, but are poisonous to human beings. They are indistinguishable from wheat until the final fruit appears. Farmers would weed out tares just before the wheat harvest. Until Christ returns, both genuine believers and counterfeits will be allowed to remain together."

Answer: Plowing or tending sheep

Plowing or tending sheep is the correct answer. Luke 17:7-10 in the NKJV quotes Jesus as telling the parable this way:
"And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'"

This parable is one of 17 that appear in only the Gospel of Luke. When it comes to parables, Luke has all the bases covered. He serves up more parables than any other Gospel writer.

Right after this parable, Luke gives an account of the ten lepers being healed by Jesus with only one of them, a Samaritan, returning to give thanks.

Answer: Matthew

Matthew is the correct answer. It is found in Matthew 25:1-13. The moral of the parable is for Christians to be always prepared for the return of the Lord, because you never know when it is going to happen.

"The ten virgins in this parable were waiting for the wedding possession that went from the bride's home to the home of her husband," notes in the NKJV Study Bible state. "This nighttime procession would use lamps to light the way because ancient cities did not have streetlights.

Here's how the parable reads in it entirety in the NKJV:

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

"And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state the possession of oil illustrates the concept of being prepared while a lack of oil represents being unprepared for Christ's return.

The term 'the door was shut' "speaks of being shut out of the kingdom," the study notes say. "The unwise virgins were not ready when Christ returned."

Answer: It should be put in new wineskins.

According to the parable, new wine should be put in new wineskins. This is one of a handful of parables that appears in three Gospels. As stated in the question, the parable can be be found in Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5: 37-38.

To give the parable context, this is how it reads in Matthew 9:14-17 in the NKJV:
"Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?' And Jesus said to them, 'Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.'"

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state Jesus used the picture of marriage to illustrate God's relationship with Israel. The notes go on to state: "In referring to Himself as a bridegroom, Jesus was describing Himself as the Messiah." The notes also state the words 'will be taken away from them' anticipates the violent death the Lord would experience.

Answer: He was disappointed.

The older son was disappointed, largely because he had been obedient to his father and apparently had never been the center of attention like his younger brother was receiving.

Luke 15:25-31 explains things this way in the NKJV:
"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found'."

The parable also tells of the father running and kissing his prodigal son to welcome him home. Notes in the NKJV study Bible state the father's compassion "illustrates the immediate acceptance of a sinner who turns to God."

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most popular in the Bible. It is perhaps rivaled by only the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Answer: False

False. There is no record in Scripture about Jesus telling a parable to Zacchaeus.

The account of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus in Jericho is found in Luke 19:1-10. Then the next 17 verses are devoted to the Parable of the Minas. However, Luke points out in Verse 11 Jesus and his gathering were "near Jerusalem" when the parable was told. So, the correct answer to this question has to be false.

Zacchaeus, of course, was the short man who climbed up a sycamore tree to get a better look at Jesus passing through town. Zacchaeus oversaw all the tax collectors in Jericho, a community northeast of Jerusalem, near the Jordan River. According to Wikipedia, Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.

When Jesus spotted the diminutive tax collector up in a tree, He said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." No doubt the response took Zacchaeus by complete surprise. After all, it's not every day a 'celebrity' passes through a community and states to a person he has never met before that he wants to spend the night at his house.

It's interesting to note Verse 7 tells of the people muttering about Jesus associating with a 'sinner' like Zacchaeus. Scripture, however, reports Zacchaeus was determined to set everything right -- and then some. Verse 8 to 10, in the NKJV, state: "Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.' And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost'."