Bible Strands
Luke 18:23
But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The ruler stands before Jesus immediately after receiving the command to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him (Luke 18:22).
The words — ἀκούσας (akousas) means "having heard," and περὶλυπος (perilupos) translates literally to "very sorrowful," describing his immediate reaction to the command.
The thread — The tension between hearing God's word and acting on it echoes Ezekiel 33:31, while the danger of wealth's grip aligns with Job 31:24 and the warning in 1 John 2:15 against loving the world.
Why it lands — The text states that extreme wealth directly caused the ruler's sorrow and refusal to obey, demanding that readers examine what possessions currently block their compliance with God's commands.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 33:31 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
- 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
- Job 31:24 If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security,
- Matthew 19:22 When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
- Mark 10:22 But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
- Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
- Judges 18:23 When they called out after them, the Danites turned to face them and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you that you have called out such a company?”
- Luke 8:14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
- Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
- Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”