This is the first line of the strangest story Jesus tells. There are a number of elements that set it apart from all his other stories. This verse is no exception, with three unique words for Jesus to use and one uncommon one. 

An untranslated Greek word  appears near the beginning of this sentence that means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. 

There was The verb "there was" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.   When the verb "to be" appears early in the sentence before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are." However, here is is clearly NOT used that way, appearing between the subject and its characteristic, despite the translation. 

The word translated as "a certain" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but can be used to mean someone of note as we would say "a someone". 

"Rich" is from an adjective that means "rich," and "opulent." It very much has the sense of ostentatiously rich. In the Greek, it appears after the verb, "was rich". 

The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular.  This word begins the sentence in Greek. 

There is no "which" here. Instead, there is the Greek word the means "and", which is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." There is a series here. 

"Was clothed" is from a Greek verb that Jesus only uses here, which means to "put on" oneself or another. It is an extended form of the common word meaning "put on".  This word is only found in the Bible and writings about it. The form is someone acting on themselves, "he put on himself.".

There is no "in" in the Greek. It isn't needed in the Greek. 

"Purple" is the Greek adjective that means "purple", "purple dyed" and a "purple stripe". This is the only time Jesus uses this word. The purple stripe was specifically used on the clothing of Roman senators and the color from purple snails was known as Tyrian purple. 

The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also."

"Fine linen" is from the Greek word that means "flax", and the linen made from it, 

There is no "and" in the Greek. The verb is not active so it is no required. 

The Greek verb translated as  "fared" means "cheer", "gladden", and in the passive, "make merry" and "enjoy oneself". It is used only in parables by Luke, most commonly in the parable of the prodigal son. It is in the form of an adjective, "making merry" where the subject acts on himself, "making himself merry". 

"Sumptuously" is another word that Jesus only used here. As an adjective, it means "bright," "radiant" and  of outward appearance, "splendid", "brilliant", and as an adverb "furiously", "keenly contested",  "vigorously", and "utterly".

The word translated as "every" means is a preposition that, when used with time, means "during".  It is not the word usually translated as "every". 

The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."