Luke 18:23
Luke 18:23 in Multiple Translations
But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.
But at these words he became very sad, for he had great wealth.
But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very wealthy.
But when he heard those things, he was very heauie: for he was marueilous riche.
and he, having heard these things, became very sorrowful, for he was exceeding rich.
But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
He having heard these things, became sorrowful; for he was very rich.
The man became sad when he heard that, because he was very rich and he did not want to give everything away.
Berean Amplified Bible — Luke 18:23
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Luke 18:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Luke 18:23
Study Notes — Luke 18:23
- Context
- Cross References
- Luke 18:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Luke 18:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 18:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 18:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Luke 18:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 18:23
- Cambridge Bible on Luke 18:23
- Sermons on Luke 18:23
Context — The Rich Young Ruler
23But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.
24Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | Job 31:24–25 | If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much, |
| 4 | Matthew 19:22 | When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. |
| 5 | 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. |
| 6 | 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.” |
| 7 | Mark 10:22 | But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | Judges 18:23–24 | 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?” He replied, “You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’” |
| 10 | 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.” |
Luke 18:23 Summary
This verse shows us that the ruler was very sad when Jesus told him to sell his possessions because he loved his wealth too much. This teaches us that our hearts can become attached to things that are not important, like money and possessions, and that we need to be willing to let go of them to follow God (Matthew 6:24, Luke 9:23-24). We can learn from this verse that true treasure is found in heaven, not on earth, and that we should store up treasures that are eternal, not just temporary. By surrendering our desires and possessions to God, we can follow Him more closely and find true joy and fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ruler become sad when Jesus told him to sell his possessions?
The ruler became sad because he was extremely wealthy and did not want to give up his earthly possessions, as seen in Luke 18:23, which is similar to the response of the rich young man in Matthew 19:21-22.
Is it wrong to be wealthy according to the Bible?
The Bible does not say it is wrong to be wealthy, but it does warn about the dangers of loving money and possessions, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:10 and Matthew 6:24.
What does this verse teach us about the heart of the ruler?
This verse teaches us that the ruler's heart was attached to his wealth, and he was not willing to let go of it, which is a common theme in the Bible, such as in Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:15.
How does this verse relate to Jesus' teachings on the kingdom of God?
This verse shows that Jesus' teachings on the kingdom of God often involved radical sacrifice and surrender, as seen in Luke 18:22 and Luke 9:23-24, which is a call to follow Him above all else.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I am holding onto too tightly, and how can I surrender them to God?
- How can I balance my desire for wealth and security with my desire to follow God and trust in His provision?
- What does it mean for me to 'treasure in heaven' as mentioned in Luke 18:22, and how can I store up treasures that are eternal?
- In what ways can I use my resources and possessions to serve God and others, rather than just accumulating wealth for myself?
- How can I ensure that my heart is not attached to earthly possessions, but rather to God and His kingdom?
Gill's Exposition on Luke 18:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 18:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 18:23
Trapp's Commentary on Luke 18:23
Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 18:23
Cambridge Bible on Luke 18:23
Sermons on Luke 18:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Great Apostasy by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining a childlike trust and confidence in God. He criticizes the modern methods and techniques used in churches and |
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Doing Something About It by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the seriousness of being in church and attending Bible conferences. He acknowledges the importance of fun, humor, and relaxation, but warns a |
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Repentance Is Our Only Hope (Compilation) by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses how people often listen to the word of God but fail to put it into practice. He emphasizes the importance of repentance and warns against the |
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Arrependimento by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the powerful impact of the Word of God, highlighting how it can either break or harden individuals. It addresses the tendency of some churches to avoid proph |
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Repentance Is Only Hope (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the word of God, but actually putting it into practice. He criticizes those who come to church and listen |
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Hearers Not Doers by Chuck Smith | This sermon emphasizes the importance of not only hearing the Word of God but also actively doing what it says. It warns against the deception of merely agreeing with God's command |
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Christian Love by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker shares two powerful illustrations about the transformative power of love. The first story is about a pastor in Chile who, after struggling with a stagna |





