Lukas 19:3

3 And he was seeking to catch a look at Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach and was not able to do so, because of the multitude, and because he was komah (short of stature).

Lukas 19:3 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 19:3

And he sought to see Jesus who he was
What sort of a person he was for complexion, stature, and age: having heard much of him, he was very desirous of indulging his curiosity with a sight of him; having, as yet, nothing else that induced him to desire to see him: his desire to see Jesus was not of the same kind with the kings and prophets, ( Matthew 13:16 ) but rather like that of Herod, ( Luke 23:8 )

and could not for the press;
the multitude of people that were flocking to meet Jesus, or who came before him, or were about him; for one part of the multitude went before him, and the other followed after him; so that he was in the crowd, and therefore could not easily be seen;

because he was little of stature.
The Syriac and Persic versions read, "because Zacchaeus was little of stature", lest it should be thought that this is said of Jesus; for the reason why Zacchaeus could not see him for the crowd, was not because Christ was little of stature, and was hid among them, but because Zacchaeus was little of stature, and could not see over their heads.

Lukas 19:3 In-Context

1 9 And having entered, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was passing through Yericho.

2 And, hinei, a man by name Zakkai was there and he was a chief moches (tax collector) and he was an oisher (rich man).

3 And he was seeking to catch a look at Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach and was not able to do so, because of the multitude, and because he was komah (short of stature).

4 And having run ahead to the front, he climbed up onto an etz (tree), a sycamore, that he might see Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, because by that derech (way) he was about to pass by. [MELACHIM ALEF 10:27, DIVREY HAYAMIM ALEF 27:28, YESHAYAH 9:10]

5 And as he came to the place, having looked up, Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach said to him, Zakkai, hurry and come down, for hayom (today) in your bais (house) it is necessary for me to remain.