According to the Bible, Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. In those days, tax collectors were not popular because they were seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers and were often accused of overcharging people and lining their own pockets with the extra money. Zacchaeus was a wealthy man because of his job, but he was also short in stature. One day, Jesus came to town and Zacchaeus wanted to see him, so he climbed a tree to get a better view. Jesus noticed him and invited himself to Zacchaeus' house for a meal. This encounter changed Zacchaeus' life and he became a follower of Jesus.