Luke 19:10

Jesus summarized the present purpose of the Son of Man’s ministry that found fulfillment in Zaccheus’ salvation (cf. 1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus had sought out many, especially among the lost sheep of Israel. He had saved those who would accept His gracious offer of salvation. This verse is the key verse in the third Gospel because it expresses concisely the ministry of Jesus as Luke presented it (cf. Luke 4:18-19; Luke 15:5; Luke 15:9; Luke 15:24).

"This whole incident is the epitome of the messianic mission described in Luke 4." [Note: Liefeld, "Luke," p. 1008.]