Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 19:2

2 And behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicanes, and he was rich.

We have had frequent occasions to hint, that the Publicanes were the gatherers of the Publick Revenue from the Romans. Amongst them there was an order of Superiour and Inferiour Officers: Zaccheus was the chief of them that were in that Commission. And he was Rich, which is not to be wondered at, considering his employment, and is particularly mentioned doubtless to Magnify the Grace of God towards him, (of which we shall by and by hear more.) As well to let us know, that tho it be an hard things for a Rich Man to be saved, yet with God it is possible, as we heard before▪ as, that tho Publicanes were most of them Rapacious and exceedingly given to Extortion; and the love of Money commonly increaseth, with the encrease of Mens Estate, yet Christ can change the Heart of such a Man, and work it into a Contempt of Riches, and into a Freedom to part with them at the Command of Christ, or where they hinder the Embraces of him.