Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Jericho, which meant he had grown rich by collecting for the occupier and keeping a margin. He was also short, and the crowd would not make room for him. He climbed a sycamore tree, which was undignified, because he wanted to see who Jesus was.
Jesus stopped under the tree, called him by name, and told him to hurry down because He had to stay at his house. The crowd murmured. Zacchaeus stood and made a public promise: half of his goods to the poor, and fourfold restitution to anyone he had defrauded. Mercy came first, and repair followed as its fruit. Jesus said salvation had come to that house that day.
For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10, RSV-CE