The man"s sorrow on hearing Jesus" command was proportionate to his wealth. His unwillingness to part with his riches showed that he valued them more than treasure in heaven. He really wanted material wealth more than eternal life ( Luke 18:18). [source][source][source]
The other Synoptic evangelists recorded that at this point the young man went away ( Matthew 19:22; Mark 10:22). He is the only person in the Gospels who came to Jesus and went away in a worse condition than when he came. [source][source][source]
Jesus" logic is quite clear in this conversation. He reasoned that God alone is perfect ( Luke 18:19). Moreover God"s standard for obtaining eternal life by good works is perfection ( Luke 18:20-21). Therefore no one can obtain eternal life by good works. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Luke 18:18-30 - The One Thing Needful
The young ruler was a man of irreproachable character. He might have said of himself all that the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:4, etc. But he was restless and unsatisfied. He felt that Jesus had the key to a life deeper than he had experienced, and he longed to possess it. He was so much in earnest that he knelt in the crowded thoroughfare before the despised Nazarene, Mark 10:17.
He did not know himself. He thought he possessed that love which fulfills the Law, Romans 13:10. Our Lord desired to prove to him that he was deficient in that love, and therefore could not have the eternal life which is love. He did this by suggesting that the young ruler should renounce all and accompany Him in a self-giving for others that must end in a cross. But he shrank back. He dared not face a life of simple faith in God for the supply of temporal needs, and of absolute self-giving to a cross. For all who dare this, whatever is right and good is given back to be held and used under God's direction. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 18
1Of the importunate widow 9Of the Pharisee and the tax collector 15Of Children brought to Jesus 18A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches 28The reward of those who leave all for his sake 31He foretells his death; 35and restores a blind man to sight
Greek Commentary for Luke 18:23
Became [εγενητη] First aorist passive indicative of γινομαι ginomai Like his countenance fell (στυγνασας stugnasas), in Mark 10:22. [source]
Exceedingly sorrowful [περιλυπος] Old adjective Rich exceedingly. Today, a multimillionaire. [source]
He was very sorrowful [] Rev., more correctly renders ἐγενήθη , he became. See on Mark 10:22. [source]
Very rich. [] The Greek order forms a climax: “richexceedingly ” [source]
Greek Commentary for Luke 18:23
First aorist passive indicative of γινομαι ginomai Like his countenance fell (στυγνασας stugnasas), in Mark 10:22. [source]
Old adjective Rich exceedingly. Today, a multimillionaire. [source]
Rev., more correctly renders ἐγενήθη , he became. See on Mark 10:22. [source]
The Greek order forms a climax: “richexceedingly ” [source]