ApologetiX is "That Christian Parody Band," often called a Christian Music … Read Full Bio ↴ApologetiX is "That Christian Parody Band," often called a Christian Music form of "Weird Al" Yankovic. Located around Pittsburgh, PA,
The band members include lead singer and lyricist J. Jackson, guitarist/keyboardist Bill Hubauer, bassist Keith Haynie, and drummer Jimmy "Vegas" Tanner. The band played its first concert as ApologetiX in 1992, and its 1000th in 2007. All of the band members grew up in and around Pittsburgh PA, and that is where they make their homes and attend church.
ApologetiX rewrites secular songs with (often comical) Christian lyrics. Some of their parodies include "Corinthians" (parody of "In the End" by Linkin Park), "Look Yourself" ("Lose Yourself" by Eminem), "Smooth Grandmama" ("Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm), "Smells Like Thirtysomething Spirit" ("Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana), and "Bethlehemian Rhapsody" ("Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen). Smooth Grandmama is considered to be their most well-known parody. While maintaining the integrity of fundamentalist "grannies," the song pokes fun at certain aspects.
ApologetiX gets their unusual name from the word apologetics, which means "the defense of the Christian faith." It is based on the Greek word for defense, apologia. The word is used in 1 Peter 3:15, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer (defense or "apologia") to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (NIV). Their logo, a triquetra, is an ancient symbol of the Holy Trinity.
Visit their website for booking, concerts and contact them through email at www.apologetix.com.

Jericho
ApologetiX Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Achat, shtayim
Achat, shtayim, shalosh, arba

Christ's in town, the Lord
The trouble is my head, can't see, I'm short
And Jericho is thronged and jammed
I thought I'd climb so high and then I saw
The Man they sought for signs and wonders

Shalom, shalom
I'm at a place called Jericho
My name's Zacchaeus if you didn't know
And the view's really something from this tree, tree

My life is cruel and cold
I've always been a guy who clings to gold
I think of all the times I've robbed and stole
I need a second chance – can He save souls?
I'm a man who cheats on taxes he collects
So I guess I've failed - then Jesus cranes His neck
Sayin' to me "You there!" Maybe He can use me

Shalom, shalom
I'm at a place called Jericho
He said "Zacchaeus, let's get dinner, bro
But first you need to come down from the tree, tree"

Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Here we go!
Jump in!

All my debts I will now restore
Half of this I give to the poor
All the rest I give to the Lord
Forgiveness is what I want – I know what's it's worth

Shalom, shalom
I'm at a place called Jericho
Christ's in town, and all I know is the Dude's really something
I can feel His love reaching me now

Read Luke 19 you'll see how
Cause He's real! Real!

Overall Meaning

The song "Jericho" by ApologetiX is a retelling of the story of Zacchaeus from the Gospel of Luke. Zacchaeus is a wealthy tax collector who feels empty and guilty about his lifestyle of cheating people out of money. He hears that Jesus is passing through Jericho and climbs a tree to get a glimpse of him. When Jesus arrives, he looks up, sees Zacchaeus, and calls him down from the tree, inviting himself to dinner at Zacchaeus' house. Zacchaeus is overwhelmed by Jesus' attention and is transformed by his grace. He vows to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay anyone he has cheated four times over.

The lyrics of the song capture the desperation and hope of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus. He is a man who has everything on the outside but is miserable on the inside. He knows he is a sinner, and he longs for a way to make things right. When he finally meets Jesus, he finds the love and acceptance he has been looking for. He is willing to give up everything to follow him.

Overall, "Jericho" is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of Jesus' grace. It shows how even the most broken, sinful person can turn their life around when they encounter the love of Christ.

Line by Line Meaning

Achat, shtayim
Christ's in town, the Lord

Achat, shtayim, shalosh, arba
The trouble is my head, can't see, I'm short And Jericho is thronged and jammed I thought I'd climb so high and then I saw The Man they sought for signs and wonders

Shalom, shalom
My name's Zacchaeus if you didn't know And the view's really something from this tree, tree

I'm a man who cheats on taxes he collects So I guess I've failed - then Jesus cranes His neck Sayin' to me "You there!" Maybe He can use me
My life is cruel and cold I've always been a guy who clings to gold I think of all the times I've robbed and stole I need a second chance – can He save souls?

He said "Zacchaeus, let's get dinner, bro But first you need to come down from the tree, tree"
Shalom, shalom I'm at a place called Jericho

All my debts I will now restore Half of this I give to the poor All the rest I give to the Lord Forgiveness is what I want – I know what's it's worth
Yeah, yeah, yeah! Here we go! Jump in!

Christ's in town, and all I know is the Dude's really something I can feel His love reaching me now Read Luke 19 you'll see how Cause He's real! Real!
Shalom, shalom My life has been forever won This Man I met can bring the sun And I'm now living out His plan

Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Kalane Valarus

15y

This is hilarious, and surprizingly great camera work.

inquiring mind

14y

Goofily hilarious!! Love it.

mikosoft

14y

The freefall scene is very entertaining. Keep it up. I'm gonna share these videos

Andrew

16y

As ApologetiX mentions in another song of their's (Parody of "Live and Let Die"): "But it was everlasting life that He was livin' -- And they'd get a surprise He didn't just die! Didn't just die! Didn't just die! Didn't just die! "