Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 19:10

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

It is the opinion of some, that by house is here to be understood Zaccheus, and his whole Family. Nor can it be denied, but that God when he poureth out the Oil of Grace upon the head of a Family, maketh some of it to run down to the skirts of his Garments. Gods Covenant was with Abraham and his seed. There is a Blessing upon whole Nations, and whole Families, where the heads of them receive the Gospel; but this is not to be extended beyond some Gospel priviledges, and the liberty of the means of Grace. [non-Latin text not transcribed] (which we translate Salvation is come) seemeth to signifie much more then this. I had rather therefore Interpret this house, the head of this house. Forsomuch as he also is the Son of Abraham. Here again a question ariseth, in what sense these Words are to be understood, whither that he were the Son of Abraham, as Abraham was the father of the Jewish Nation, or as he was the Father of the Faithful, viz. of all those who believed, or should believe in Christ. Those who think he was a Jew suppose, that the Romans did imploy some Iews in their service, to gather the publick Revenue, (which is not improbable, being no more then is done by all Conquerors) they have also to countenance them. 1. That Zaccheus is a name of Hebrew extraction. 2. That his mention of a four-fold Restitution, seemeth to have reference to the Law of four-fold Restitution, Exod. 22.1. in case of Sheep stollen, and alienated. 3. That the Jews did not charge our Saviour for eating with a Person Uncircumcised, but a Person that was a scandalous Sinner. These make these Words to be a reason given by our Saviour, why he was so kind to Zaccheus, because he also was a Son of Abraham, one of the lost Sheep of the house of Israel. If I could Interprete [non-Latin text not transcribed]. The means of Salvation, I should incline to this sense also; but taking it to signifie saving Grace, which brings men to a certainty of Salvation, Remission of Sins, and the justification of the Soul of this Publicane. I cannot but think that by a Son of Abraham in this Text is meant a true believer; which he might be and yet be a Native Iew also. Tho all Israel did not obtain, yet the Election amongst them did obtain, Rom. 11.7. All were not Israel, who were of Israel. Neither (saith the Apostle Rom. 9. v. 7.) because they are the seed of Abraham are they all Children. Nor were they other then Jews to whom Christ said, Iohn 8.39. If ye were Abraham's Children ye would do the works of Abraham, and v. 44. you are of your Father the Devil, and the Lusts of your Father ye will do. Our Saviour therefore in saying, Forsomuch as he also is the Son of Abraham, intendeth much more, then that he was a Native Jew, (if indeed he were so, for that is not certain) viz. that he was a believer, a Son of Abraham, considered as the Father of the Faithful, a genuine Son of Abraham, rejoycing with him at the sight of his Day, and believing with him, so as it was imputed to him for Righteousness, and Salvation is already come in a sure Title, tho not in actual possession, to every Soul that is such a one. For the Son of Man (saith he) is come to seek and to save that which is lost. We had the same Matth. 18.11. See the Notes in that place.

Marginal references: See Matth. 10.6. & 15.24.