A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 16:19

"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:" — Luke 16:19 (ASV)

He was clothed (ενεδιδυσκετο). Imperfect middle of ενδιδυσκω, a late intensive form of ενδυω. He clothed himself in or with. It was his habit.

Purple (πορφυραν). This purple dye was obtained from the purple fish, a species of mussel or μυρεξ (1Macc. 4:23). It was very costly and was used for the upper garment by the wealthy and princes (royal purple). They had three shades of purple (deep violet, deep scarlet or crimson, deep blue). See also Mr 15:17,20; Revelation 18:12.

Fine linen (βυσσον).

Byssus or Egyptian flax (India and Achaia also). It is a yellowed flax from which fine linen was made for undergarments. It was used for wrapping mummies. "Some of the Egyptian linen was so fine that it was called woven air" (Vincent). Here only in the N.T. for the adjective βυσσινος occurs in Re 18:12; 19:8,14.

Faring sumptuously (ευφραινομενος λαμπρως).

Making merry brilliantly . The verb ευφραινομα we have already had in 12:19; 15:23,25,32. Λαμπρως is an old adverb from λαμπρος, brilliant, shining, splendid, magnificent. It occurs here only in the N.T. This parable apparently was meant for the Pharisees (verse 14) who were lovers of money. It shows the wrong use of money and opportunity.