The answer is: False

Luke 19 - He climbed into a sycamore tree

True or false questions can be a fun way to dive into the stories of the Bible! In the story of Zacchaeus, the real star isn’t a rooftop at all, but a gloriously tall sycamore tree. Picture a short man, eager to see a friend or teacher he highly admired – who can resist standing on tiptoes or even climbing higher for a better view?

Sycamore trees themselves are fascinating! Even today, they aren’t just ordinary trees; in ancient times, they could grow quite large and their leaves provided ample shade. This made them perfect places for those wanting to catch a glimpse of what’s happening around them. One could imagine that Zacchaeus saw himself reflected in the branches – a bit out of reach yet absolutely determined. This vivid scene reminds us of how people from all walks of life usually behaved around Jesus, from the highest in society to the most excluded.

And let's chat about Zacchaeus himself! As a tax collector, he was viewed with suspicion and often thought of as a cheat. His curious heart and desire to see Jesus broke social norms. After all his scrambling up the tree in such a public way – can you imagine the giggles of the crowd? When Jesus called him down and chose to stay at his house, it wasn’t just an act of kindness; it was a radical declaration of community and acceptance. Zacchaeus reveled in a moment of transformation (literally, up in a tree to completely changed by Jesus' attention and grace)!