Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 18:23

"But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich." — Luke 18:23 (ASV)

He was very sorrowful.—Saint Luke’s word stands halfway between Saint Matthew’s “sorrowing” and Saint Mark’s vivid “lowering” or “frowning.” (See Note on Mark 10:22.)

He was very rich.—Saint Luke’s equivalent for he had great possessions. There is, perhaps, something suggestive, especially on the view that has been taken regarding 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 that had been employed in that parable.