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The Rich Young Ruler
…22On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”23Butwhen the ruler heardthis,he becamevery sad,becausehe wasextremelywealthy.24Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!…

Treasury of Scripture

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

he was very sorrowful.

Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures ofthis life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Luke 12:15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Luke 19:8
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restorehim fourfold.

DeeplyExceedingExceedinglyExtremelyGreatHeardHearingRichSadSorrowfulWealthWordsDeeplyExceedingExceedinglyExtremelyGreatHeardHearingRichSadSorrowfulWealthWords1.Of the importunate widow.
9.Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
15.Of Children brought to Jesus.
18.A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.
28.The reward of those who leave all for his sake.
31.He foretells his death;
35.and restores a blind man to sight.

But when the ruler heard this
The ruler in this passage is often identified as a rich young ruler, a person of significant social standing and influence. In the context of first-century Judea, rulers were often part of the local aristocracy or held positions of authority within the synagogue. This encounter follows Jesus' teaching on entering the Kingdom of God, emphasizing the challenge of wealth in spiritual commitment. The ruler's response is pivotal, as it reflects the tension between earthly possessions and spiritual devotion.

he became very sad
The ruler's sadness indicates a deep internal conflict. His reaction is not just disappointment but a profound sorrow, suggesting that he understood the gravity of Jesus' challenge. This emotional response highlights the ruler's attachment to his wealth and the difficulty of prioritizing spiritual over material wealth. The sadness also underscores the personal cost of discipleship, a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings.

because he was extremely wealthy
Wealth in the ancient world was often seen as a sign of God's favor, yet Jesus challenges this notion by suggesting that wealth can be a hindrance to spiritual growth. The ruler's extreme wealth implies not just financial resources but also the social and cultural power that comes with it. This wealth creates a barrier to fully following Jesus, as it requires a radical reorientation of values. The difficulty of the wealthy entering the Kingdom of God is further illustrated in the subsequent verses, where Jesus uses the metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. This phrase also connects to other scriptural teachings on the dangers of wealth, such as in1 Timothy 6:10, which warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

1.The Rich Ruler
A man of significant wealth and social standing who approaches Jesus with a question about eternal life.

2.Jesus
The central figure in the Gospel, who provides teachings and guidance on spiritual matters.

3.The Event
This interaction occurs as part of a larger account where Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God and the challenges of wealth.The Challenge of Wealth
Wealth can be a significant barrier to spiritual growth and commitment to God. The rich ruler's sadness highlights the difficulty of prioritizing spiritual over material wealth.

Heart Condition
Jesus' interaction with the ruler reveals that true discipleship requires a heart fully devoted to God, free from the bondage of material possessions.

Eternal Perspective
Believers are encouraged to focus on eternal treasures rather than temporary earthly wealth, aligning with Jesus' teachings on storing treasures in heaven.

Self-Examination
This passage invites Christians to examine their own lives for attachments that may hinder their relationship with God, encouraging a lifestyle of generosity and detachment from materialism.

The Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus may require significant sacrifices, including the willingness to part with earthly wealth for the sake of the Kingdom.1.What is the meaning of Luke 18:23?

2.How does Luke 18:23 challenge our attachment to material possessions today?

3.What does "he became very sad" reveal about the young ruler's priorities?

4.How can we prioritize eternal life over wealth, as seen in Luke 18:23?

5.What other scriptures warn against the love of money and its consequences?

6.How can we cultivate a heart willing to sacrifice for God's kingdom?

7.Why did the rich ruler become sad in Luke 18:23 after Jesus' instruction?

8.How does Luke 18:23 challenge the concept of wealth in Christian life?

9.What does Luke 18:23 reveal about the relationship between wealth and spiritual commitment?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 18?

11.What role did tax collectors have in the Bible?

12.Why does Ezekiel 28 present Tyre's prince or king with traits that mirror those of Adam or Satan, yet no clear explanation is given for this blending of identities?

13.How does Luke 18:18-30 align with other Bible passages that teach salvation through faith rather than works or possessions?

14.What does 'give it all away' mean?But when the ruler heard this

Jesus had just told the ruler, “Sell all you own and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22).

• The command touches the very point of his heart attachment—possessions—echoing Christ’s earlier words: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34).

• Cross referenceMatthew 19:21 – the same instruction is given, underscoring its consistency.

•Mark 10:21 notes that Jesus “loved him” first; the challenge proceeded from compassion, not harshness.

• The ruler “heard” with his ears but did not embrace with faith, revealing how obedience demonstrates genuine belief (James 2:17).

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He became very sad

The Greek wording pictures deep gloom. His reaction signals an inner struggle between conviction and refusal.

•2 Corinthians 7:10 contrasts godly sorrow that leads to repentance with worldly sorrow that leads to death; the ruler’s grief stops short of repentance.

• Herod “was deeply distressed” over John the Baptist yet chose pride over obedience (Mark 6:26); similar sadness without surrender.

• True disciples leave everything and follow (Luke 5:11, 28). The ruler’s sadness highlights the cost he was unwilling to pay.

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Because he was extremely wealthy

His riches are not incidental; they are the very reason for his sorrow and stumbling.

•Luke 16:13—“You cannot serve God and money”—is illustrated in real time.

•1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns that those eager for money “pierce themselves with many sorrows”; the ruler’s immediate sorrow proves the point.

•Proverbs 11:28 promises, “He who trusts in his riches will fall.” Trust, not amount, is the issue, yet great wealth often tightens the grip.

• Jesus immediately reflects, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24-25), reinforcing that attachment to wealth blocks reliance on Christ.

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summary

Luke 18:23 shows a man confronted by the Lord’s loving demand for wholehearted surrender. Hearing the call, he walks away grieved because his vast wealth owns his heart. Scripture portrays this moment to warn that any treasure cherished above Christ forfeits true treasure in heaven. Obedience, not mere interest, marks a faithful response to Jesus.

(23)He was very sorrowful.--St. Luke's word stands half-way between St. Matthew's "sorrowing" and St. Mark's vivid "lowering" or "frowning." (See Note onMark 10:22.)

He was very rich.--St. Luke's equivalent forhe had great possessions. There is, perhaps, something suggestive, especially on the view which has been taken as to the identity of the young ruler, and the purport of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, in the use of the very same adjective as had been employed in that parable.

Verse 23. -And when he heard this, he wasvery sorrowful: for he was very rich. St. Mark adds (a memory of Peter's) that when he heard this the ruler went away frowning, with a lowering look.This was too much. He could not, even at the bidding of that loved Teacher, give up the pleasant life he loved so well, the things he prized so highly; so silently and sadly he turned away. The 'Gospel of the Hebrews,' a very ancient document, dating from the first days of the faith, a few fragments only of which have come down to us in quotations in the Fathers, thus describes the scene: "Then the rich man began to scratch his head, for that was not to his mind. And the Lord said to him, How then canst thou say, I have kept the Law; for it is written in the Law, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; and, lo! many of thy brethren, children of Abraham, live in the gutter, and die of hunger, while thy table is loaded with good things, and nothing is sent out to them?" (quoted by Origen, inMatthew 19.). Dante calls this "The Great Refusal," and represents the shade of the young ruler among the throng of the useless, of those who faced both ways (' Inferno,' 10:27). It is worthy of notice that there was no angry retort from the wealthy ruler, no scornful, cynical smile of derision, as we read of among the covetous, wealthy Pharisees (Luke 16:14). Still, in the heart of this seeker after the true wisdom there was a sore conflict. Grieving, sorrow-stricken, with gloomy looks, he turned away in silence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


But
δὲ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.

when [the ruler] heard
ἀκούσας(akousas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

this,
ταῦτα(tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.

he became
ἐγενήθη(egenēthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

very sad,
περίλυπος(perilypos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4036:Very sorrowful, greatly grieved. From peri and lupe; grieved all around, i.e. Intensely sad.

because
γὰρ(gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

he was
ἦν(ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

extremely
σφόδρα(sphodra)
Adverb
Strong's 4970:Exceedingly, greatly, very much. Neuter plural of sphodros as adverb; vehemently, i.e. In a high degree, much.

wealthy.
πλούσιος(plousios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4145:Rich, abounding in, wealthy; subst: a rich man. From ploutos; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with.


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NT Gospels: Luke 18:23 But when he heard these things he (Luke Lu Lk)