23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.
23 This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go.
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 18:23
Commentary on Luke 18:18-30
(Read Luke 18:18-30)
Many have a great deal in them very commendable, yet perish for lack of some one thing; so this ruler could not bear Christ's terms, which would part between him and his estate. Many who are loth to leave Christ, yet do leave him. After a long struggle between their convictions and their corruptions, their corruptions carry the day. They are very sorry that they cannot serve both; but if one must be quitted, it shall be their God, not their wordly gain. Their boasted obedience will be found mere outside show; the love of the world in some form or other lies at the root. Men are apt to speak too much of what they have left and lost, of what they have done and suffered for Christ, as Peter did. But we should rather be ashamed that there has been any regret or difficulty in doing it.