A chief tax collector named Zacchaeus lived in Jericho. He was eager to see Jesus as he passed through the city, but he was short and could not see over the crowd.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree along the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by.

When Jesus came to that spot, he stopped, looked up, and said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and welcomed Jesus with joy. The people around began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

But Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “Lord, I will give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will repay them four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

As Jesus continued on his way through Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside. Hearing the crowd passing by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

He called out loudly, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Those in front rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called the blind man, saying, “Take heart! Get up; he is calling you.”

Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak, jumped to his feet, and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

Jesus said, “Go. Your faith has healed you.”

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road, praising God.