And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.

and he, having heard these things, became very sorrowful, for he was exceeding rich.

But on hearing these words he was deeply sorrowful, for he was exceedingly rich.

But at these words he became very sad, for he had great wealth.

But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.

And when he heard this,.... That one thing was wanting, and what that was, which was to part with all his worldly substance, and follow Christ;
he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich; See Gill on Matthew 19:22.

was very sorrowful--Matthew (Matthew 19:22) more fully, "went away sorrowful"; Mark still more, "was sad" or "sullen" at that saying, and "went away grieved." 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 alternative, 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.