What Does Luke 18:23 Mean in the King James?

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

Luke 18:23 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

His abundance does not shield him from grief; it is where the demand to release finds him.

THE MEANING

Great wealth and deep sorrow stand together: having much does not spare you from grief. The preceding call to release makes the pressure visible, what you hold can become the place where letting go hurts.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Having much guarantees a life without sorrow; this verse sets great wealth beside grief at the very moment release is demanded.

THE ROOT

πλούσιος

plousios

GROWS FROM

πλουτ-

plout-

Wealth, riches, abundance

The shared ⁨πλουτ-⁩ stem names riches themselves, the state of being rich, and the act of enriching. Here, abundance becomes the pressure point when the invitation turns toward giving it away.

ALSO GROWS

ploutos: Riches, wealth

πλοῦτος

This noun shares the root behind “rich,” tying the man’s condition to the abundance he holds.

plouteō: To be rich, become rich

πλουτέω

It names wealth as a state, echoing how the verse describes his whole circumstance.

ploutizō: To enrich, make rich

πλουτίζω

This branch gives the same root an outward movement: abundance can be given to enrich another.

THE PATTERN

What the heart treats as treasure can make release costly.

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 · KJVAbundance does not guarantee rest; what is held can weigh on the one who holds it.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:21 · KJVTreasure reaches inward, binding the heart to what it values.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10 · KJVThis verse links attachment to money with sorrow, echoing the grief beside great wealth here.

THE THREAD

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Luke 12:21 · KJV

The Greek for “rich” here and in that verse shares the ⁨πλουτ-⁩ root. Together they open a question beneath the sorrow: what is this abundance serving?

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