When the young man heard this
The phrase "when the young man heard this" indicates a pivotal moment of realization and decision. The Greek word for "heard" (ἀκούσας, akousas) implies not just the act of hearing but understanding and processing the message. This young man, often referred to as the "rich young ruler," is confronted with a truth that challenges his values and priorities. In the context of the Gospel, hearing is often associated with the call to faith and obedience. This moment is a test of his willingness to follow Jesus' radical call to discipleship.

he went away in sorrow
The phrase "he went away in sorrow" captures the emotional and spiritual struggle within the young man. The Greek word for "sorrow" (λυπούμενος, lypoumenos) conveys deep grief or distress. This sorrow is not just a fleeting sadness but a profound inner turmoil. Historically, this reflects the struggle of many who encounter the demands of the Gospel and find them at odds with their personal desires or societal values. The young man's sorrow highlights the cost of discipleship and the challenge of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions.

because he had great wealth
The phrase "because he had great wealth" reveals the root of the young man's sorrow and decision to walk away. The Greek word for "wealth" (κτήματα, ktēmata) refers to possessions or property. In the historical context of first-century Judea, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor, yet Jesus challenges this notion by emphasizing the spiritual hindrance it can pose. The young man's attachment to his wealth illustrates the broader biblical theme of the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, as their reliance on material security can overshadow their dependence on God. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers to examine their own attachments and the potential barriers to fully following Christ.

(22) He went away sorrowful.--St. Mark adds "sad," i.e., frowning, or as with a look that lowered. The word is the same as that used of the sky in Mark 16:3. The discipline so far did its work. It made the man conscious of his weakness. He shrank from the one test which would really have led him to the heights of holiness at which he aimed. Yet the sorrow, though it was a sign of the weakness of one whose heart was not yet whole with God, was not without an element of hope. A mere worldling would have smiled with cynical contempt, as the Pharisees did when they heard words of a like tendency (Luke 16:14). Here there was at least a conflict. On the common view, that we can know nothing more of the questioner, it might seem as if the failure was final. On that which has been suggested here, we may believe that the Lord, who "loved" the seeker after eternal life in spite of this inward weakness, did not leave him to himself. The sickness, the death, the resurrection of Lazarus, may have been the discipline which proved that the things that are impossible with men are possible with God. We are at least not hindered by any chronological difficulty from placing those events after the dialogue with the young ruler.

Verse 22. - When the young man heard that saying. Such an injunction was wholly unexpected; it completely staggered him; it appealed to the one point in his character which was weak and imperfect. He would have endured any amount of legal requirements or of vexatious and painful observances; he would gladly have become a disciple of Christ; but the previous sacrifice was too great; he could not make it; not that he was specially covetous or avaricious, but his heart was set on his riches; he had a wealthy man's tastes and position and self-confidence, and he could not bring himself to cast away these even at Christ's word. Such supreme self-denial, such absolute devotion, he would not embrace. So he went away sorrowful. He saw the right road, but he turned away from it. Without any further word, casting aside all hope of the saintly life, yet grieved and dejected at the thought of what he was losing, he returned to his home. It was hard to disobey the wise and loving Teacher who had endeavoured to lead him to the noblest aims and the highest ambition; but it was harder to follow his severe counsels. The evangelist gives the reason of this unhappy decision. For he had great possessions; η΅ν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά: erat enim habens multas possessiones; he was one that had many possessions, or had and continued to have, implying possession and retention (comp. Luke 5:18, "he continued in retirement"). This fact was the snare that trapped him, the stumbling block over which he fell. The possession of riches proved fatal to saintliness. It is this truth that our Lord emphasizes in the following discourse. They who tare unconscious of having been tried as this young man was tried may condemn him as worldly, covetous, and insincere. A true Christian, who knows his own heart, may well feel that he can throw no stone at this defaulter; that he, any more than the Jew, could not give up all that he held dear for Christ's sake; that, bad the alternative been set before him in this blunt, palpable fashion, he too would have gone away sorrowful.

Parallel Commentaries ...


[When]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

young man
νεανίσκος (neaniskos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3495: A young man, youth, an attendant. From the same as neanias; a youth.

heard
Ἀκούσας (Akousas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

this,
τοῦτον (touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

he went away
ἀπῆλθεν (apēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

in sorrow,
λυπούμενος (lypoumenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3076: To pain, grieve, vex. From lupe; to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad.

because
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

he
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

had
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

great
πολλά (polla)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

wealth.
κτήματα (ktēmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2933: From ktaomai; an acquirement, i.e. Estate.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard (Matt. Mat Mt)