Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Mark shows us what earnest seeking looks like: the man ran, knelt, and spoke weightily about eternal life, no shame, no delay, no private conference in darkness. He laid aside his ruler's dignity to learn from Christ, and his haste itself proved he meant business with his soul.
AI summary
Commenting on Mark 10:17-31
And Jesus looked round about,.... To see what effect the discourse he had with the young man, and the consequence of it, had upon his disciples; as also to raise their attention to what he was about, to say: and saith unto his disciples, how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
And he was sad at that saying - This young man had perhaps been a saint, and an eminent apostle, had he been poor! From this, and a multitude of other cases, we may learn that it is oftentimes a misfortune to be rich: but who is aware of this? - and who believes it?