The account of the man who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus is found in Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in Jericho who was wealthy but short in stature. When Jesus was passing through Jericho, a large crowd surrounded Him, and Zacchaeus could not see over the people. To overcome this, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree along the route Jesus was taking.
When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." Zacchaeus came down at once and welcomed Jesus gladly. The crowd grumbled because Jesus chose to be the guest of a "sinner" (tax collectors were despised for working with the Roman occupiers and for often overcharging). Zacchaeus then declared that he would give half his possessions to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he had cheated, prompting Jesus to say, "Today salvation has come to this house."
The other individuals listed are biblical figures but are not associated with climbing a tree. Matthew (also called Levi) was a tax collector whom Jesus called to follow Him. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to Jesus at night. Nathanael was a disciple whom Jesus saw under a fig tree, but he did not climb one.
