† 32. The Ministering Women

"Soon afterward"

Luke intends in his gospel to present events in order (Luke 1:3). This episode is the next thing Jesus did after the woman washed His feet while He ate at the house of Simon the Pharisee.

Thus, Luke emphasizes that Jesus, for His part, responded to the previous episode by preaching and evangelizing through both city and countryside.

The Pharisee's attitude toward the formerly sinful woman—he would not even allow her to touch him—would also have impacted his own teaching; he certainly spent no time teaching among the common people far and wide.

The Women

Luke tells us many women serve the Lord and His workers by providing for their day-to-day needs, like food and lodging. They are doing an important work, participating in the spread of the Gospel. God certainly provided a reward for them.

Despite the women's notable devotion and service—in some instances, they stood by the Lord closer than the apostles did—the apostles do not esteem the women as they should. For example, the women are the first to learn of Jesus's resurrection, but their report is not believed.

Luke 24:10–11
…these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

Although we may have different roles according to our gender (or age, or position in life, etc.), all souls are of equal value before God! Our prayers to God can be hindered if we do not recognize this Scriptural truth.

Galatians 3:27–29
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Luke 8

1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

Mary

The original episode in which Mary was freed from seven demons is not captured in the Gospels, but there were many in her dire situation. Her response to her healing—and the response of the other women here—was to follow the Lord and support His work in the way she could.

Mary Magdalene is the most-often mentioned woman in the New Testament, noted for her enduring devotion to God.

She stood by the cross of Jesus (John 19:25).
She observed His burial and kept watch over the tomb (Mark 15:47; Matthew 27:61).
She was the first person to whom the resurrected Jesus appeared (Mark 16:9; John 20:1).
She was the first to tell of the resurrection of Jesus to His apostles (John 20:18; Luke 24:10).

Joanna

Her husband, Chuza, is Herod's household manager. While it's not clear which Herod (Herod is a title) Chuza serves, we know Joanna's service to Jesus is noticed by authorities and the general public alike due to her husband's public office.

Joanna's name is mentioned once more in Scripture: she was among the women who first learned of the empty tomb (Luke 24:10).

Susanna, and many others

This is the only place in Scripture where Susanna is named, and many others remain unnamed.

The Gospels seem to make a habit of allowing the women to hang on to a certain anonymity. The parallel accounts of Matthew 26:13 and Mark 14:9 together say about a certain woman that, "what she has done will be told in memory of her," but neither one reveals her name!

Many godly women simply do not wish to garner any attention. We are reminded of Jesus's earlier teachings.

Matthew 6:3–4
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

provided for them

This is the same word used of deacons, servants in day-to-day matters, such as getting and preparing food, places to stay, supplies, etc. While women cannot be officers in the church (Acts 6:3, "seven husbands"), they can still be servants among God's people (Romans 16:1, "Phoebe, a servant of the church"). And the service these women provide is a most important and impactful work: it allows the Lord and His apostles to focus on the teaching.

out of their means

These women are giving their own money, supplies, and homes to serve the Lord and His apostles.

§ 8. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee Continued