Luke 19:3

3 And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and he might not, for the people [for the company of people], for he was little in stature.

Luke 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.

Luke 19:3 In-Context

1 And Jesus going in, walked through Jericho.

2 And lo! a man, Zacchaeus by name, and this was [and he was] a prince of publicans, and he was rich.

3 And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and he might not, for the people [for the company of people], for he was little in stature.

4 And he ran before, and ascended [up] into a sycamore tree, to see him; for he was to pass from thence [for he was to pass thence].

5 And Jesus beheld up, when he came to the place, and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus, haste thee, and come down, for to day I must dwell in thine house.