And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. Matthew, more fully, "he went away sorrowful:" Mark, still more fully, "he went away sorrowful:" Mark, still more fully, "he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions." Sorry he was, very sorry, to part with Christ; but to part with his riches would have cost him a pang more. When Riches or Heaven on Christ's terms were the alternatives, the result showed to which side the balance inclined. Thus was he shown to lack the one all-comprehensive requirement of the law-the absolute subjection of the heart to God, and this want vitiated all his other obediences. Let us now gather up the favourable points in this man's case, as here presented. First, He was of irreproachable moral character; and this amidst all the temptations of youth, because he was a "young man" (Matthew 19:22), and of wealth, because he was "very rich." Secondly, He was restless notwithstanding: his heart craved eternal life. Thirdly, Unlike the "rulers," to whose class he belonged (Luke 18:18), he so far believed in Jesus as to be persuaded He could authoritatively direct him on this vital point. And Fourthly, So earnest was he that he came "running," and even "kneeling" before Him; and that not in any quiet corner, but "when He was gone forth into the way" - the open road-undeterred by the virulent opposition of the class to which he belonged, and by the shame he might be expected to feel at broaching such a question in the hearing of so many. How much that is interesting, attractive, loveable, promising, is there here! And yet all was in vain. Eternal life could not be his, because he was not prepared to give up all for it. He had not found the treasure hid in the field; he had not found the one pearl of great price; because he was not prepared to sell all that he had to possess himself of them (Matthew 13:44-46).